Flood threat looms as heavy rains batter river catchments

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jul, 2026) The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday warned of rising flood risks across several parts of the country during July 23-24 as a strong monsoon system interacting with a westerly wave is expected to trigger widespread rainfall, rapid river inflows, flash floods in mountainous areas, hill torrents and urban flooding in vulnerable cities, prompting authorities to monitor river catchments and disaster-prone regions closely.

According to a hydrological situation alert issued by the NDMA, widespread rain with isolated heavy falls is expected over Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and parts of Balochistan during the next two days.

The authority warned that flash flooding could occur in rivers, streams and seasonal waterways across several districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, including Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Gilgit, Diamer, Ghanche, Shigar, Astore, Kharmang and Roundu.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, flood risks have been highlighted for Chitral, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi and Peshawar, as well as local streams and hill torrents in Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Kohat, Bannu, Karak, Hangu, North and South Waziristan, Bajaur and Mohmand districts.

The alert said areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Bagh, Haveli, Poonch, Sudhnoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur, could also face flash flooding due to rising water levels in rivers and tributaries.

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In Punjab, hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur and the Kurram River near Isa Khel in Mianwali district remain vulnerable to flooding. Similar threats have been identified in Balochistan, particularly in Zhob, Sherani, Musakhel, Loralai, Killa Saifullah, Ziarat, Duki, Barkhan, Harnai, Sibi, Kachhi, Khuzdar, Lehri and Jhal Magsi.

The NDMA also warned of urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Faisalabad, Mianwali, Khushab, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal in Punjab, as well as Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda and Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

On the river system, the authority said high flood levels are expected in the Chenab River at Marala, while medium flooding is likely upstream of Mangla on the Jhelum River.

Medium to high flood levels are also anticipated in associated nullahs of the Jhelum and Chenab basins, including Dora, Dotta, Dowara, Bhimber, Halsi, Aik and Palkhu.

The alert added that flows are expected to increase in the Ravi basin nullahs, including Bein, Basantar, Deg and Sakki, while River Ravi at Balloki may reach low flood level during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Rising water levels are also forecast in the Swat, Panjkora and Chitral rivers, while low to medium flooding is expected in the Kabul River and its tributaries.

The NDMA advised local administrations and residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel near rivers and streams, and follow official advisories throughout the forecast period.