[REVISION HISTORY]

Pakistan monsoon floods and rising weather risks

Updated 20 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-02 04:42 UTC → 2026-09-05 21:30 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The monsoon season in Pakistan has intensified through July and August, evolving into a severe humanitarian emergency characterized by widespread flooding, landslides, and glacial lake outbursts. By mid-August, heavy rains caused the Tarbela Dam to reach 100 per cent capacity, while the Mangla Dam rose to 68 per cent. In the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, intense rainfall triggered severe urban flooding, with Nullah Lai water levels reaching between 20 and 21 feet at Katarian. As of August 19, the National Disaster Management Authority reported a death toll surpassing 160 people since June 26. Receding waters have left behind sewage-contaminated mud, leading to reports of eye, throat, and stomach-related illnesses. By late August, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued an alert for an eighth monsoon spell effective through September 5, predicting heavy rainfall and urban flooding risks in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Sialkot, alongside landslide risks in Murree and Galiyat. On September 1, torrential rains caused severe urban flooding in the twin cities. In Rawalpindi, Nullah Lai reached critical levels of 27 to 29 feet at Katarian and 21 to 24 feet at Gawalmandi. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) declared a rain emergency, deploying heavy machinery and sirens to alert residents in low-lying areas like Safdarabad, Pirwadhai, and Sadiqabad. In Islamabad, rainfall reached approximately 150mm in the E-11 sector, causing sewer overflows and a protective wall collapse in the D-12/2 sector. Emergency services, including Rescue 1122 and the Pakistan Army, were placed on high alert. Simultaneously, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued urgent warnings regarding heightened risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), flash floods, and landslides. Authorities noted that rising temperatures and monsoon rains are accelerating glacier melt, particularly threatening Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts such as Chitral, Swat, and Mansehra.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.