Pakistan monsoon rains trigger flood alerts in northern, central zones

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a flood alert for July 19‑23, warning of heavy monsoon rains, flash flooding and rising river levels across Pakistan. The agency expects intense rain in Gilgit‑Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and upper Punjab, with rivers such as the Chenab at Marala, Jhelum upstream of Mangla, Kabul, Swat, Panjkora and Chitral projected to swell dramatically.

Urban flooding risk is highlighted for major cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda and Mardan. In Karachi and Sindh, the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasts partly cloudy, humid conditions with isolated light rain and strong winds, likely providing temporary relief but also raising flood concerns. The NDMA urged provincial and district authorities to keep rescue teams and heavy machinery on alert and advised the public to avoid non‑essential travel, stay away from flood‑prone streams, and follow official guidance.