The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a weather alert on Thursday, warning that another round of rain, wind, and thundershowers is expected to affect parts of the country’s northern and central regions from August 29 to September 2. This year’s monsoon has been particularly severe, with torrential rains triggering landslides and floods that have killed over 800 people since June.
The forecast system is expected to bring heavy downpours at times, increasing the risk of both flooding and landslides. According to the PMD, strong monsoon currents from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal will start penetrating northern Pakistan on August 29. A westerly wave is also likely to approach from August 30, creating conditions for widespread showers across multiple provinces.
Kashmir is expected to be the hardest hit, with heavy to very heavy rain forecast between August 29 and September 2, especially in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Bagh, Haveli, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur. In Gilgit-Baltistan, areas including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar may also see rain, with isolated heavy falls expected from August 30 to September 1.
For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain and thundershowers are forecast for Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Waziristan, Tank, and Dera Ismail Khan during the same period.
Islamabad and northern Punjab are also on high alert. The weather authority says widespread rain with heavy downpours is expected in the capital, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore, Faisalabad, and nearby districts from August 29 to September 2. Southern Punjab, including Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Layyah, and Rajanpur, may also be affected by isolated heavy falls.
Sindh will not be entirely spared, with showers and thunder expected in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Dadu, Jacobabad, Sukkur, and Larkana on August 30 and 31. Similarly, parts of Balochistan, particularly Barkhan, Loralai, Zhob, Khuzdar, and adjoining districts, could see rain with heavy falls from August 30 to September 1.
The PMD has also warned of flash floods in the local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi-Islamabad, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and northeastern Punjab. Urban flooding is also a concern for low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, and Mardan. The hilly terrains of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir are at risk of landslides and mudslides.
Strong winds, lightning, and heavy rain could also damage vulnerable structures like mud houses, billboards, solar panels, and electricity poles. The PMD has urged the public, particularly travelers and tourists, to be cautious, avoid unnecessary journeys in high-risk areas, and stay updated with the latest forecasts. Local administrations and emergency departments have been advised to remain on high alert and implement precautionary measures to minimize potential losses.
