Pakistan on High Alert as Heavy Rains, Floods Forecast from Aug 29

News Desk

Islamabad: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has placed the country on high alert, warning of another spell of torrential rains between August 29 and September 2 that may trigger flash floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in several regions.

According to the NDMA spokesperson, thunderstorms and heavy showers are expected in Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Mountainous areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa – including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat, and Bannu – face a heightened risk of landslides and GLOFs.

In Punjab, northern and northeastern districts such as Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Hafizabad, and Mandi Bahauddin are forecast to receive heavy downpours between August 30 and 31, raising the threat of urban flooding. Rainfall is also expected in central and southern districts, including Multan, DG Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan.

Rising Flood Risk in Major Rivers

The NDMA has warned of a sharp rise in water levels in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers.

At Trimmu Barrage, flows of 700,000–800,000 cusecs are anticipated by August 31, threatening Jhang and nearby areas.

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said pressure from the Chenab would likely affect the Rewaz Railway Bridge near Jhang, declaring parts of Jhang, Chiniot, and Sahiwal Division highly sensitive.

Floodwaters are expected to reach Panjnad by September 3, where flows could hit 650,000–700,000 cusecs. Authorities have already issued evacuation orders in Hafizabad, Chiniot, Multan, Panjnad, and Bahawalpur.

On the Ravi River, flows of 150,000–200,000 cusecs are projected at Balloki Barrage, posing a threat to low-lying areas of Lahore, Sheikhupura, and Kasur. By September 1, floodwaters are expected to hit Sadhanai, endangering several settlements, including Shahdara, Kot Mahbu, Jia Musa, Aziz Colony, Faisal Park, Dhameke, and Kot Abdul Malik.

The PDMA chief termed the current spell the worst flood in four decades, confirming that 17 people have died while over 1,600 villages have already been submerged.

Urban Flooding Likely in Sindh, Coastal Balochistan

In Sindh, heavy downpours are forecast for Hyderabad, Dadu, Sukkur, Ghotki, Larkana, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, and Tharparkar, with urban flooding feared in Karachi between August 30 and September 2.

In Balochistan, low-lying areas of Gwadar, Kech, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Lasbela, and Kalat are expected to be inundated.

Relief and Rescue on Standby

The Pakistan Army has been deployed in nine districts to assist with rescue and relief operations. Both NDMA and PDMA have urged residents in vulnerable zones to move to safer areas and warned tourists to avoid northern regions due to the risk of landslides and road blockages.

PDMA officials described the next few hours as crucial, reporting that while water levels at Shahdara remain stable, the Ravi is rising rapidly. Evacuations from sensitive areas have already been carried out.

“All relevant agencies are on high alert and monitoring the situation around the clock,” the NDMA spokesperson assured.