NDMA Issues Red Alert as Fresh Monsoon Spell Threatens Pakistan

August 23, 2025 – The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a red alert ahead of a new monsoon spell expected to affect large parts of Pakistan from August 23 to August 30.

The alert is based on forecasts from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which indicate that strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal will enter the country’s upper regions, bringing heavy rainfall and heightened flood risks.

Expected Timeline and Affected Regions

August 23–27: Upper and Central Pakistan

• Punjab: Widespread downpours, with Rawalpindi, Murree, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Sialkot facing high risks of urban flooding. Hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan may swell dangerously.
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P): Torrential rains predicted in Swat, Dir, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, and Mardan, raising concerns over flash floods and landslides.
• Kashmir & Gilgit-Baltistan: Heavy to very heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods, landslides, and road blockages in hilly terrain.

August 27–29/30: Southern Pakistan

• Sindh: Both coastal and interior districts, including Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, and Hyderabad, expected to face heavy downpours and urban flooding.
• Balochistan: Eastern and southern areas forecast to receive strong winds and heavy rains, raising the risk of flash floods in vulnerable districts.

Potential Hazards and Risks

• Flash Floods: Likely in streams and nullahs of Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and D.G. Khan.
• Urban Flooding: Major cities could see roads submerged and transport severely disrupted.
• Landslides & Rockfalls: Particularly threatening in K-P, GB, and Kashmir, where road closures and property damage are expected.
• River Flooding: Rising levels in Indus, Ravi, and Chenab rivers may threaten nearby communities.
• Crop & Infrastructure Damage: Hailstorms and windstorms could hit standing crops, vehicles, and fragile structures like billboards and poles.
• Lightning Strikes: Thunderstorms carry an increased risk of lightning incidents.

NDMA Advisory and Response Measures

• Public Safety: Citizens urged to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel to hilly or flood-prone areas, and seek shelter during storms.
• Tourism Caution: Travelers heading to northern areas have been strongly advised to delay non-essential trips.
• Local Administration Preparedness: Provincial governments and district authorities directed to pre-alert residents in low-lying areas, ensure efficient communication of weather advisories, and reinforce vulnerable embankments.
• Rescue & Relief Readiness: All relevant institutions placed on high alert for emergency response. NDMA has called for enhanced inter-agency coordination to prevent drowning incidents and to respond quickly to potential urban flooding.

Proactive Approach

NDMA has emphasized that this red alert is part of a proactive strategy, ensuring that preparedness measures are in place before the rains hit. The authority reiterated that public cooperation, timely precautions, and coordinated response are critical to minimizing the human and economic toll of this year’s intense monsoon season.

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