The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a rain alert on Tuesday for several parts of the country, cautioning that Karachi could face urban flooding between August 30 and September 2. According to the meteorological department, thunderstorms and rain are expected in Islamabad from August 29 to September 2, while heavy rainfall is likely in the northern and north-eastern districts of Punjab on August 30 and 31.
Weather Forecast by Region
- Punjab: Rain is expected from August 30 to 31 in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Hafizabad, and Mandi Bahauddin. Central and southern Punjab may also receive rain between August 29 and 31, raising concerns about flooding in low-lying areas. This includes Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Heavy rainfall is forecast between August 29 and 31, with a risk of landslides in the Malakand and Hazara divisions. Rain is predicted in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Kohat, and Bannu.
- Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan: Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Haveli, Kotli, Mirpur, and Bhimber in Azad Kashmir are likely to see heavy rain from August 29 to September 2. Gilgit-Baltistan may also experience rain and landslides between August 29 and 31, particularly in Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, and Ghanche.
- Sindh and Balochistan: The NDMA also noted that Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, and Tharparkar are expected to receive rainfall from August 30 to September 2. Hyderabad, Dadu, Sukkur, Ghotki, Larkana, Jacobabad, and Kashmore may experience heavy downpours between August 30 and September 1. Additionally, rain is forecast in parts of Balochistan, including Gwadar, Kech, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Lasbela, and Kalat, between August 29 and September 1.
Impact of Monsoon Rains and River Flows
Pakistan is currently dealing with intense monsoon rains that have caused flash floods, swollen rivers, and overflowing dams, leading to over 800 reported deaths since late June. Amid these heavy rains, India released excess water from its dams this week, which has increased the flow of rivers downstream in Punjab. The NDMA stated that Pakistan has evacuated more than 210,000 villagers living near the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers, which flow from India. Earlier today, Pakistani officials said India issued its third flood warning since Sunday, with this one for the Sutlej, following two previous warnings about water heading into Pakistan on the Ravi.
