NDMA Issues Nationwide Flood, Landslide Warning

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has reported that three rainy weather systems are entering Pakistan, bringing widespread showers across the country.

According to the forecast, rainfall is expected in Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab from tomorrow until August 25.

The NDMA has warned of possible urban flooding in low-lying areas and a high risk of landslides in mountainous regions.

In Punjab, heavy rains are likely in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Mianwali, and Khushab, while Sargodha, Sialkot, Gujrat, Hafizabad, and Mandi Bahauddin are also expected to receive strong showers. Flooding may submerge low-lying areas in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Gujranwala. Similar risks of inundation exist in Narowal, Talagang, and Chakwal.

In Sindh, heavy rainfall is forecast in Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, and Tharparkar from August 27 to 30. Other districts, including Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Nawabshah, Dadu, Khairpur, Sukkur, Ghotki, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore, and Shaheed Benazirabad, are also likely to be affected.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rainfall is expected from tomorrow until August 27 in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Battagram, Abbottabad, Malakand, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, and Dera Ismail Khan. There is a risk of floods and landslides in Swabi, Mardan, Malakand, and Hazara divisions.

In Azad Kashmir, heavy rains may cause flooding and landslides in Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, and Bagh.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, showers are expected from August 23 to 27.

In Balochistan, heavy rains and strong winds are likely in Lasbela, Khuzdar, Awaran, Kalat, Gwadar, Turbat, Kech, and Panjgur. Rains are also forecast in Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Loralai, Barkhan, Musakhel, Dera Bugti, and Kohlu between August 24–25 and August 27–30. Flood threats are reported in Dera Murad Jamali, Usta Muhammad, Lasbela, Nasirabad, Kech, and Lehri.

The NDMA further warned that river water levels may rise significantly. The Indus River is expected to carry up to 500,000 cusecs of water at Taunsa, Guddu, and Kalabagh. Water flow may also increase in adjacent areas of the Ravi and Chenab rivers, due to limited storage capacity in dams.