Islamabad (Web Desk): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), through its National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), has released a detailed weather warning predicting significant rainfall and the likelihood of flooding in various parts of Pakistan from August 23 to August 30.
As per NEOC, the country is expected to experience the impact of three major weather systems during this period, which may lead to widespread rain, heightening the risk of floods in areas prone to such events.
Between August 23 and 25, intense rainfall combined with gusty winds is anticipated across Islamabad, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab.
These conditions raise concerns over potential urban flooding in low-lying localities and landslides in hilly terrains.
In particular, heavy precipitation is forecast for northeastern districts of Punjab such as Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Sialkot, Gujrat, Hafizabad, and Mandi Bahauddin. Major urban centers including Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Narowal, Talagang, and Chakwal could also see waterlogging and drainage challenges due to the heavy downpours.
The southern parts of Punjab and bordering regions may witness an upsurge in hill torrents, particularly affecting areas like Dera Ghazi Khan, Dera Ismail Khan, and Rajanpur, where water flow could intensify.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is projected to undergo heavy and prolonged rain from August 23 to 27, increasing the possibility of flash flooding in smaller streams and landslides in steep, mountainous regions. Specific locations such as Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Battagram, Abbottabad, Malakand, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Tank, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan are in the path of these weather systems.
Authorities have identified Swabi, Mardan, Malakand, and Hazara divisions as being at particularly high risk of serious flooding.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, ongoing rains may trigger both landslides and flood conditions in districts like Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Haveli, Kotli, Mirpur, and Bhimber.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, regions including Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore, Ghanche, and Shigar are expected to receive persistent rainfall between August 23 and 27, which could obstruct transportation routes due to possible landslides and floodwaters in high-altitude terrain.
Looking toward the latter part of the forecast period, from August 27 to 30, weather models suggest that coastal districts of Sindh—such as Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, and Tharparkar—are likely to be hit by heavy showers. Additionally, a wide swath of interior Sindh may also be impacted, including Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Nawabshah, Dadu, Khairpur, Sukkur, Ghotki, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore, and Shaheed Benazirabad.
In Balochistan, heavy rains accompanied by strong winds are expected in regions like Lasbela, Khuzdar, Awaran, Kalat, Gwadar, Turbat, Kech, and Panjgur.
Intermittent rainfall has also been forecast for parts of the province, including Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Loralai, Barkhan, Musakhel, Dera Bugti, and Kohlu, particularly during August 24–25 and then again from August 27–30.
Several areas including Dera Murad Jamali, Usta Muhammad, Dera Bugti, Awaran, Lasbela, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Kech, and Lehri face heightened threats of inundation due to expected surges in water levels. With water reservoirs nearing capacity, river levels are anticipated to rise significantly.
The Indus River may swell to around 500,000 cusecs at critical junctures like Taunsa, Guddu, and Kalabagh. Additional rainfall may also cause a sharp increase in the flow of the Ravi and Chenab rivers, posing flood hazards to surrounding regions.
The NDMA confirmed that it continues to monitor relief and response operations across the country, while relevant departments remain on high alert to manage any emergencies.
The public has been strongly advised to exercise caution and follow safety instructions.
Moreover, travelers, especially tourists, have been urged to postpone trips to northern areas due to the increased risk of landslides and hazardous weather.