Pakistan is bracing for severe weather conditions as the country recorded a staggering 250% more rainfall than normal between August 11 and 21, according to the Meteorological Department. This sharp increase follows an unusually dry start to the month, when rainfall was 60% to 99% below average.
Regions like Gilgit-Baltistan and Sindh experienced a dramatic turnaround. Gilgit-Baltistan received 235% above-normal rainfall, while Sindh went from extreme dryness to 155% above-normal rain in just days. Southern parts of the country, including Sindh, were hit by widespread showers, indicating a major weather shift.
Flood Warnings Issued as Monsoon Intensifies
With the eighth monsoon spell expected to begin on August 23, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued a high-level flood warning. Water levels in key rivers, especially the Sutlej, are rising rapidly. At Ganda Singh Wala, water flow has already reached 100,000 cusecs, fueled partly by releases from Indian reservoirs.
Rainfall is forecast across Punjab from August 22 to 27, affecting both upper and southern regions. Areas expected to be hit include Rawalpindi, Murree, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan, among others.
The PDMA has instructed local authorities to stay alert and urged residents of low-lying areas, particularly near the Sutlej River, to evacuate to safer locations immediately. Rising water levels are also anticipated in the Jhelum, Chenab, and Ravi rivers.
Officials emphasize the importance of following safety advisories, as the country faces one of the most intense monsoon periods in recent years.
