Published on: August 24, 2025 12:32 PM
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued a flood warning after the Meteorological Department forecast continued heavy rains across the province. The authority warned that strong downpours could swell local rivers and streams, posing a serious flooding risk in Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan and Abbottabad. It added that persistent rains may also cause landslides in mountainous areas, cutting off remote communities and blocking major road networks.
Officials also cautioned that urban flooding is possible in low-lying parts of Peshawar, Nowshera and Mardan, while strong winds could damage fragile houses, electricity poles, vehicles and solar panels. Local administrations, rescue services and police have been placed on high alert, while residents and tourists have been asked to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from riverbanks and remain updated about weather alerts to avoid accidents.
Meanwhile, torrential rains wreaked havoc in Dera Ismail Khan, where powerful winds brought down trees and electricity lines, plunging several areas into darkness. Roof collapses in different localities killed seven people and left dozens injured, according to rescue officials. Hospitals across the district were put on emergency footing, with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur directing authorities to provide immediate assistance and ensure relief for affected families. Rescue teams and power workers are also deployed to restore services.
In the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, hours of intense downpour triggered flash floods in streams and drains, leaving streets and markets inundated. Water entered shops and houses in Bhara Kahu, while vehicles were stranded in floodwaters. Authorities closed several hiking trails in the Margalla Hills, including Trails 2, 3, 4, 5 and the Saidpur track, to protect citizens from landslides and accidents.
The Meteorological Department has also warned of heavy downpours in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, north-eastern Punjab, Kashmir and Dera Ghazi Khan, raising the risk of overflowing streams and drains. Low-lying areas in Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sargodha, Peshawar, Nowshera and Mardan may also face waterlogging. North-eastern Punjab could receive particularly intense showers, while southern Punjab, north-eastern Balochistan and south-eastern Sindh may see thunderstorms and rainfall during the evening and night.
Separately, the Punjab PDMA has expressed concern over rising water levels in major rivers, including the Ravi, Chenab, Sutlej and Jhelum. The Sutlej is already in high flood near Ganda Singh Wala and is expected to remain elevated for the next 48 hours. Rescue teams have been deployed to vulnerable areas, and public announcements are being made to alert at-risk communities. Citizens have been urged to call the PDMA helpline 1129 in emergencies as rivers and seasonal streams face the risk of medium to high flooding.
