NDMA warns of rising flood risk as monsoon rains swell rivers across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority on Saturday warned that monsoon rains were pushing up flood risks in several parts of the country, with river flows rising and flash flood threats emerging in vulnerable areas.

According to the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre, medium flood levels have been recorded at Khanki, Qadirabad and Chiniot Bridge on the Chenab River. It said Palkhu Nala at Wazirabad was also flowing at a medium flood level.

The authority said low-level flooding was continuing at Kalabagh, Chashma and Taunsa on the Indus River, at Marala and Trimmu on the Chenab River, at Balloki and Sidhnai on the Ravi River, and at Nowshera on the Kabul River. It also reported low flood conditions at Nala Aik and at Palkhu Nala Cantonment Bridge.

NDMA said water flows in the Chenab were expected to rise further over the next 24 hours at Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad and Chiniot Bridge. It added that water levels at Trimmu Barrage could also increase to medium flood level during the same period.

Flash flood and urban flooding concerns

The authority warned that flash floods could occur in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, in seasonal streams across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and in parts of northern Balochistan during the next 24 to 48 hours.

It also forecast urban flooding in Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Jhang, Multan, Hafizabad and Lahore as heavy monsoon rains continue.

In its advisory, the NDMA urged people to avoid unnecessary travel to flood-hit areas and asked motorists to check weather updates and road conditions before departure. It also directed relevant departments to keep continuous watch over vulnerable points, maintain emergency teams on standby and ensure roads are reopened quickly if closures occur.

The authority further cautioned that landslides, debris flows and sudden flash floods remained a serious danger in mountainous areas during the monsoon season. It advised the public not to stop near riverbanks, steep slopes or narrow mountain routes exposed to rockfalls and landslides, and warned against crossing inundated roads, streams or fast-moving water either on foot or in vehicles, saying even shallow flowing water can carry away people and vehicles.