ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is bracing for an intense monsoon spell starting today, expected to last until August 21, unleashing torrential rains, thunderstorms, flash floods, and landslides across large swathes of the country. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that this system—powered by active monsoon currents from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal—will collide with a westerly wave, creating severe weather conditions in multiple regions.
This alarming forecast comes on the heels of deadly floods in the north that claimed more than 300 lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within just 48 hours, pushing Pakistan into yet another climate-induced humanitarian crisis.
Widespread Impact Across Provinces
The PMD has issued region-specific alerts:
- Northern Pakistan: Heavy downpours in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Swat, Mansehra, and surrounding districts are expected to trigger landslides, road blockages, and flash flooding in narrow valleys.
- Punjab & Islamabad: From Rawalpindi and Islamabad to Lahore and Sialkot, urban centers face the threat of flash flooding due to poor drainage systems.
- Sindh & Karachi: Karachi, Hyderabad, and Mirpurkhas will be lashed by heavy rainstorms, raising fears of urban flooding and infrastructure breakdown.
- Balochistan: Zhob, Dera Ghazi Khan, Barkhan, Musa Khel, and Kech districts are at risk of hill torrents, threatening lives, agriculture, and livestock.
The Met Office cautioned that flooding in low-lying areas and riverine systems remains a serious possibility, especially with rivers like the Jhelum and Sutlej already flowing at dangerous levels.
Death Toll Rising and Crisis Deepening
Since the start of the monsoon season on June 26, Pakistan has recorded more than 645 deaths and nearly 1,000 injuries, while thousands have been displaced from their homes. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has been scrambling to relocate residents, but poor infrastructure and inaccessibility in mountainous terrain hinder relief efforts.
Rescue officials fear the new wave of torrential rains could amplify the destruction, displace more families, and create severe shortages of food, water, and medicines in flood-hit areas.
Why This Spell is More Dangerous
This spell stands out due to a dangerous mix of climatic factors:
- Bay of Bengal Low-Pressure System fueling heavy moisture.
- Arabian Sea moisture currents strengthening the system.
- Westerly wave interaction amplifying rainfall intensity.
- Glacial melt already saturating rivers and streams, leaving no room to absorb further downpours.
Experts warn that climate change is intensifying Pakistan’s vulnerability, making once “rare” weather events disturbingly frequent.
Possible Disasters on the Horizon
- Flash floods in KP, Punjab’s hilly areas, and Balochistan.
- Urban flooding in major metropolitan cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
- Landslides in the Galiyat, Murree, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.
- Agricultural damage as farmlands become inundated, threatening food supply.
Authorities have urged residents to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and heed evacuation warnings in vulnerable zones.
The Bigger Picture
This is more than just a monsoon spell—it’s a test of Pakistan’s disaster preparedness, urban planning, and resilience against the mounting threats of climate change. With hundreds already dead and millions at risk, the coming days may define how Pakistan copes with environmental shocks that are becoming the “new normal.”
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.