Monsoon rains to continue till August 22: NDMA

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned that heavy monsoon rains are expected to last till August 22, as widespread flooding continues to wreak havoc across the country.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued multiple alerts warning of persistent heavy rains, flash floods and landslides, particularly in the northern regions and populous urban centres.

Read more: Rising water levels trigger flood warnings at Guddu Barrage

The current monsoon season this year was one of the most devasting in recent history. Since early summer, intense and unrelenting rainfalls battered provinces from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), Punjab and Azad Kashmir.

The heavy rainfall triggered floods and landslides that displaced thousands, destroyed infrastructure, and resulted in hundreds of people perishing.

In KP alone, catastrophic flooding caused by cloudbursts and flash floods led to over 330 death, extensive house and road damages, and ongoing large-scale rescue operations.

The rain pattern shows no sign of slowing, with forecasts highlighting moderate to heavy rain expected in cities like Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, and Jhelum in Punjab’s Potohar region.

Authorities imposed precautionary measures, including the enforcement of section 144 in vulnerable areas such as Rawalpindi’s nallah lai to prevent fatalities near the waterways.

Alarm systems were also reportedly activated to warn residents of sudden flood risks, which emergency response teams remain on high alert.

Water levels in major rivers and reservoirs continue to rise. The Tarbela Dam is currently at 96 per cent capacity, and Mangla Dam at 67 per cent. Inflows are expected to increase due to ongoing rainfall and glacier melt.

Read more: Over 150 rescue units deployed as KP battles deadly floods

Moderate flooding was recorded at several barrages, including Kalabagh, Chashma, and parts of the Indus River and its tributaries.

This year’s monsoon rainfall intensity is 50 to 60 per cent higher than last year. NDMA officials cautioned that two to three additional waves of monsoon rains are likely in early September, as well.