The Met Department has forecast heavy rainfall across several regions of the country from today through July 17, warning of potential flooding and landslides, particularly in northern and northeastern areas.
According to a spokesperson of the Met Office, torrential rains are expected in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Swabi, Nowshera, and Mardan. Similar weather patterns are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and upper parts of Punjab, intensifying the risk of flash floods and landslides.
The weather department has issued a flood risk in local and seasonal drains of northeast Balochistan and Kashmir, while also warning of heavy rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree and Galiyat, causing landslides that could threaten traffic flow.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has also issued alerts for Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir, and other mountainous areas, citing the possibility of dangerous landslides due to persistent downpours.
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Flood threats have been highlighted in low-lying regions of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Tunsa, Rajanpur, and Bahawalpur. Nowshera and Peshawar are also at risk of localized flooding due to heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, cloudy and stormy weather is forecast for multiple cities in Punjab, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sargodha, and Multan. Light to moderate rain is also predicted in Bahawalpur, Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal, Murree, Galiyat, Mianwali, and Narowal.
River water levels and dam status
In its latest update, PDMA Punjab reported an increase in water flow in major rivers due to ongoing monsoon rains and glacier melt.
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The Indus River is experiencing low-level flooding at Tarbela and Taunsa.
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Water levels remain normal at Chashma and Kalabagh.
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Flows in the Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, and Sutlej rivers are also at normal levels.
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In southern Punjab, riverbeds in Dera Ghazi Khan are currently stable.
Regarding dams, the water level at Mangla Dam is at 46% capacity, while Tarbela Dam has reached 78%. On the Indian side, dams on the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers are holding up to 36% of their total storage.
The PDMA director general assured that all precautionary measures are in place to deal with any emergency, urging residents in vulnerable areas to stay alert and follow official advisories.
