The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a fresh weather alert warning of powerful monsoon currents entering the country from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, bringing heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds in Sindh, Balochistan, and other provinces until August 22, 2025. The Met Office has directed all relevant provincial and local authorities to remain on high alert to minimize the risk of flooding, infrastructure damage, and loss of lives.
This latest monsoon spell is expected to be one of the most intense phases of the current season, with both southern and northern regions of Pakistan coming under its influence.
⚡ Monsoon Currents Strengthening Over Pakistan
According to meteorologists, active monsoon currents have strengthened due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal combined with moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea. These systems are colliding over Pakistan’s southern belt, increasing the likelihood of heavy downpours, lightning strikes, and windstorms.
The PMD has highlighted that this weather pattern will be particularly severe in Sindh and Balochistan, while other provinces, including Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), will also receive scattered but significant rainfall.
🌧️ Sindh: Heavy Rains and Thunderstorms Forecast
Sindh is expected to face the strongest impact of this monsoon spell. The Met Department’s advisory indicates above-normal rainfall in multiple districts:
- Tharparkar, Mithi, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Sanghar, and Jamshoro will witness heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds.
- Karachi, the country’s largest metropolitan city, is predicted to experience intermittent heavy downpours, raising concerns about urban flooding, traffic disruptions, and power outages.
- Northern Sindh districts, including Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, and Jacobabad, will also experience moderate to heavy rainfall, potentially disrupting routine life.
The PMD has cautioned residents of Karachi and Hyderabad to take necessary precautions as low-lying areas are vulnerable to flooding due to poor drainage infrastructure.
🌧️ Balochistan: Severe Weather to Persist
Balochistan, already struggling with fragile infrastructure and vulnerable rural settlements, is also expected to experience continuous rainfall and thunderstorms till August 22. The following districts are at high risk:
- Barkhan, Musakhel, Loralai, Sibi, Zhob, Qila Saifullah, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Kech, Gwadar, and Panjgur.
The PMD has warned that heavy rains in these districts may trigger flash floods, overflowing rivers, and landslides in hilly areas. Particularly, Gwadar and Kech districts in coastal Balochistan could face challenges from torrential rains and strong sea winds, which may also impact fishing activities.
🌧️ Punjab and Islamabad: Widespread Showers
The central and northern regions of Punjab are also expected to be affected by this monsoon system. The PMD forecast mentions:
- Rawalpindi, Attock, Murree, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Lahore will see intermittent moderate to heavy showers.
- Southern Punjab, including Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Rajanpur, may also experience sporadic downpours, which can trigger flash floods in hilly streams (locally known as hill torrents).
The capital city, Islamabad, will also witness rain, thunder, and occasional windstorms, offering some relief from the humid weather but posing risks of waterlogging in certain areas.
🌧️ Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): Risk of Flooding in Mountainous Areas
Several districts in KP are likely to experience heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds over the coming days. These include:
- Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, and Swabi.
Due to KP’s mountainous terrain, heavy rains may cause landslides, road blockages, and flash floods in streams and rivers, disrupting communication and transport networks.
🌧️ Northern Areas: Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan
The Met Department has also forecast light to moderate showers in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). While these rains may provide relief from dry weather, they also raise the risk of landslides in mountainous regions, which could affect tourism and local communities.
⚠️ Urban Flooding and Infrastructure Damage
The PMD has issued strong warnings about the possibility of urban flooding in major cities, especially in:
- Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Tharparkar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Sanghar, and Jamshoro in Sindh.
- Quetta, Khuzdar, Sibi, and Gwadar in Balochistan.
The heavy rains are also expected to cause damage to:
- Weak housing structures, particularly in informal settlements and slum areas.
- Electric poles, signboards, solar panels, and vehicles.
- Crops and livestock, especially in rural Sindh and Balochistan.
🚨 Advisory for the Public
The Meteorological Department has urged citizens, travelers, and tourists to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines:
- Avoid unnecessary travel during heavy downpours.
- Stay away from low-lying flood-prone areas.
- Do not attempt to cross flooded roads or bridges.
- Keep emergency kits, food supplies, and medicines ready.
- Stay updated with the latest weather advisories via TV, radio, and official government platforms.
🛠️ Government’s Preparations and Response
Following the PMD’s alert, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) have been directed to remain vigilant. Rescue teams, local administrations, and municipal bodies have been asked to:
- Clear stormwater drains in urban centers like Karachi and Hyderabad.
- Ensure availability of dewatering pumps in flood-prone localities.
- Mobilize rescue and relief teams for timely evacuation if needed.
- Coordinate with law enforcement agencies for maintaining order during emergencies.
The government has also called upon citizens to cooperate with authorities and report emergencies promptly.
🌍 Climate Change and Increasing Monsoon Intensity
Experts have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of monsoon rains in Pakistan to climate change and global warming. Rising sea surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean are causing heavier rain systems, while deforestation, rapid urbanization, and poor drainage systems are exacerbating flood risks.
According to climate scientists, Pakistan, being one of the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change, must take immediate steps for:
- Strengthening disaster management frameworks.
- Improving urban drainage and sewerage systems.
- Protecting natural wetlands and forests that help absorb rainwater.
✅ Conclusion
With monsoon rains expected to continue until August 22, Pakistan faces a critical challenge in balancing the blessings of rain with the risks of flooding and infrastructure damage. The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s timely warnings aim to prepare authorities and citizens alike to minimize the risks.
As urban flooding, flash floods, and lightning strikes remain imminent threats, awareness, preparedness, and cooperation between citizens and authorities will be crucial in overcoming this monsoon challenge.
