ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a nationwide alert as the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast widespread rains and thunderstorms from August 29 to September 2.
In this sense, northern and north-eastern Punjab districts including Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Hafizabad, and Mandi Bahauddin are expected to receive heavy rainfall on August 30 and 31, posing risks of flooding in low-lying areas. Central and southern Punjab, including Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan, may also face flood-like conditions during the spell.
Furthermore, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rains are likely between August 29 and 31, particularly in Malakand and Hazara divisions. Districts such as Chitral, Dir, Swat, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Kohat, and Bannu have been placed on high alert, with authorities cautioning against landslides in mountainous terrain.
So far, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Haveli, Kotli, Mirpur, and Bhimber, is forecast to witness intense rains from August 29 to September 2. Landslides are considered a major threat in the hilly districts.
Similarly, in Gilgit-Baltistan, heavy rains from August 29 to 31 could trigger landslides and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) in Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, and Ghanche.
In this regard, Sindh’s coastal belt, particularly Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, and Tharparkar, is expected to experience heavy rainfall between August 30 and September 2. Karachi, the country’s largest city, faces the risk of urban flooding due to possible cloudbursts. Interior Sindh, including Hyderabad, Dadu, Sukkur, Ghotki, Larkana, Jacobabad, and Kashmore, may also witness torrential downpours from August 30 to September 1.
In addition, Balochistan, districts such as Gwadar, Kech, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Lasbela, and Kalat are forecast to receive rains from August 29 to September 1, with flooding feared in vulnerable areas.
Also Read: PDMA warns of new series of rains in Balochistan starting August 30
The NDMA further warned that continuous rainfall could worsen flood conditions along the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers.
