Weather in Pakistan: Sialkot & Ravi River Face High Flood Levels NDMA Alert

August 27, 2025, 2:29 AM PKT – Pakistan is grappling with severe flooding triggered by intense monsoon rains, causing widespread devastation across multiple regions, including Sialkot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab, Sindh, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) have issued urgent warnings as rivers reach exceptionally high flood levels, threatening lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods.

Sialkot: High Flood Risk in River Chenab

Sialkot is under severe threat as the PMD’s QPM Radar reports heavy to very heavy rainfall in the upper catchments of the River Chenab. The river is expected to reach exceptionally high flood levels at Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad from 11:00 PM PST on August 26 to 11:00 PM PST on August 27, 2025. Urban flooding risks loom over Sialkot, Lahore, Gujranwala, and Gujrat divisions for the next 48 hours due to anticipated torrential rains. The River Ravi at Jassar is already at a high flood level, with very high to exceptionally high levels expected at Jassar, Shahdara, and Balloki, exacerbated by potential water releases from India’s Madhupur Headworks. Earlier incidents, including flash floods on June 28, 2025, caused significant damage in Sialkot, with reports of a funeral for flood victims highlighting the local impact.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Worst-Hit Region

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Buner and Swat Valley, has borne the brunt of the disaster. In Buner, over 207 deaths and 209 missing persons have been reported due to flash floods and landslides triggered by a cloudburst that dumped over 150mm of rain in a single hour. Swat Valley saw villages devastated, though a heroic school principal saved 900 students by evacuating them during a flash flood. Tragically, a family of 13 tourists was swept away in the Swat River. KP accounts for the highest death toll, with 427 fatalities reported since June 26, 2025.

Punjab: Urban Flooding Threats

Punjab faces significant urban flooding risks in Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Rawalpindi over the next 48 hours. The province recorded 73% more rainfall in July 2025 compared to last year, resulting in 164 deaths. The River Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala is at a high flood level, with very high levels expected due to potential water releases from Indian dams.

Sindh: Karachi Reels Under Urban Flooding

In Sindh, Karachi experienced severe urban flooding on August 19, 2025, submerging roads and vehicles. The Sindh Information Department has reported efforts to clear stormwater drains, but infrastructure damage remains a concern. A total of 29 deaths have been reported since June, with urban flooding risks persisting in Tharparker, Umer Kot, Mirpurkhas, and Hyderabad.

Gilgit-Baltistan and Other Areas

Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir are facing flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) due to accelerated glacial melting caused by global warming. Over 2,328 km of roads in Sindh and 1,000 km in Balochistan have been damaged, alongside thousands of homes and significant agricultural losses, threatening food security.

Relief Efforts and Challenges

The NDMA and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) are actively responding, but inadequate preparedness has amplified the damage, despite early warnings issued in June. The Senate Committee on Economic Affairs reviewed rehabilitation efforts in February, noting that District Disaster Management Authorities lack resources. Initiatives like Recharge Pakistan, launched at COP29, aim to restore wetlands and forests to mitigate future floods, but immediate relief remains critical. Health risks, including skin diseases and diphtheria, are rising in flood-affected areas like Sialkot, as reported by the WHO.

Outlook

With heavy rainfall warnings in place until August 28, 2025, authorities urge residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant. The death toll, already exceeding 750 nationwide with over 700 injuries, underscores the urgency of coordinated relief efforts. As Pakistan battles this ongoing crisis, the focus remains on saving lives, restoring infrastructure, and addressing long-term climate vulnerabilities.