ISLAMABAD, Aug. 5: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a fresh flood alert, warning of potential urban flooding, flash floods, and riverine flooding across several parts of Pakistan as persistent monsoon rains continue to affect the country’s upper catchments.
According to the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), heavy rainfall is expected to trigger urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, and Faisalabad. Similar conditions are also forecast for Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, and Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, and Tharparkar in Sindh.
The NDMA also warned of possible flooding in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and northeastern Balochistan, with heightened concerns over flash floods in hill torrents and seasonal streams.
Authorities said there is a high risk of flooding in the hill torrents of Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rajanpur, while seasonal streams in Chitral, Swat, Upper and Lower Dir, Malakand, Bajaur, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, Mardan, Swabi, Karak, Hangu, Khyber, Kurram, North Waziristan, Shangla, and Peshawar could experience sudden surges in water levels.
In Balochistan, flood warnings have been issued for Zhob, Barkhan, Ziarat, Musa Khel, Dukki, and particularly the catchment areas of the Nari and Lehri rivers, where heavy runoff may generate dangerous flood flows.
The authority further cautioned that Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) remain vulnerable to flash floods due to continued rainfall in mountainous regions. Rivers and streams in Ghizer, Yasin, Ishkoman, Tangir, Darel, Diamer, Astore, Ghanche, Hunza, and Gilgit, along with local water channels in Chapursan, Shimshal, Khunjerab, Shingo, Rupal, Bagrote, Darel, and Tangir, may witness a sharp rise in water levels.
In AJK, districts including Bagh, Muzaffarabad, Hattian Bala, Bhimber, Rawalakot, Pallandri, and Kotli have also been placed on alert for possible flash flooding.
The NDMA has directed provincial and district administrations to pre-position emergency resources, ensure evacuation arrangements in vulnerable areas, and maintain a high level of preparedness to respond to any emergency.
The authority has advised residents, tourists, and travelers to stay away from rivers, streams, flood channels, and waterlogged roads. Citizens have been urged not to cross flooded roads, bridges, or fast-flowing water on foot or by vehicle, as even shallow floodwaters can be extremely dangerous.
The NDMA also warned that mountainous regions face an increased risk of landslides, mudslides, and sudden flash floods during the ongoing monsoon season. Travelers are advised to check the latest weather forecasts and road conditions before departure and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of severe weather.
People travelling in remote or mountainous areas have been advised to carry drinking water, dry food, flashlights, first-aid supplies, power banks, and emergency contact information.
The authority reiterated that it is continuously monitoring the evolving weather situation through the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) and is providing timely alerts to all relevant departments. Citizens have also been encouraged to download and use the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application for real-time weather updates, emergency warnings, and safety advisories.