LAHORE/ISLAMABAD/SUKKUR: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued a fresh weather advisory, warning of extremely heavy rainfall in southeastern Sindh from Sept 7 to 10, which could trigger urban flooding in Karachi, Thatta, Badin, and other low-lying coastal districts.
According to the warning, the looming spell is linked to a monsoon weather system currently positioned over the Gujarat-Rajasthan border in India and moving westward into Pakistan. “This system is expected to bring intermittent heavy to very heavy rainfall in Sindh, adjoining parts of Balochistan, and southern Punjab until September 10,” the statement said.
Authorities cautioned that flash floods are likely in the Keerthar mountain ranges and in streams and nullahs of Lasbela and Khuzdar districts of Balochistan, while Koh-e-Suleiman and parts of southern Punjab may also experience dangerous inflows in local streams. Farmers and residents of riverine belts have been urged to shift to safer ground.
The NDMA also advised people to avoid crossing streams and water channels during heavy rain and to follow the safety instructions of local authorities. “People living in low-lying and flood-prone areas must remain vigilant and prepared for emergency evacuation,” the advisory warned.
In addition to the southern parts of the country, the NDMA forecast strong thunderstorms and lightning in Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum.
The formation of towering cumulonimbus clouds due to intense heat could trigger heavy downpours, lightning strikes, and landslides in hilly regions, the authority said. It warned that such conditions may damage weak infrastructure, disrupt power supply, and cause road blockages. Residents have been advised to park vehicles in safe locations, stay away from trees and weak structures, and avoid unnecessary travel during thunderstorms.
NDMA’s updated monsoon damage report painted a grim picture of the devastation caused so far this season. At least 907 people have lost their lives and 1,044 others injured across the country.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the worst-hit, reporting 502 deaths and 218 injuries.
Punjab recorded 223 deaths and 654 injuries, the second-highest toll.
Sindh reported 58 deaths and 78 injuries, while Balochistan lost 26 people and reported 5 injuries.
In the north, Gilgit-Baltistan recorded 41 deaths and 52 injuries, Azad Jammu & Kashmir 38 deaths, and Islamabad 9 fatalities.
The report also confirmed the loss of 6,180 livestock and the partial or complete destruction of 7,848 houses, leaving thousands of families displaced.
Fresh alerts have been issued for Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Ahmedpur Sharqia, Liaqatpur, Zahir Pir, Rajanpur, Khanpur, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, and Sadiqabad, warning of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, flash floods in hill torrents and possible landslides in vulnerable areas.
Authorities have placed rescue teams on standby, while hospitals and relief centres have been directed to remain on high alert to deal with any emergencies.
Meanwhile, devastating floods have started advancing into Sindh as the Provincial Rain and Flood Emergency Monitoring Cell reported sharp increases in water inflows and outflows at major barrages on the Indus River.
Authorities warned that the situation could worsen within the next 24 hours, with low-lying villages already inundated and a major flood wave expected to hit.
The Indus River’s floodwaters have begun reaching Sindh, with the Provincial Rain and Flood Emergency Monitoring Cell reporting significant rises in inflows and outflows at Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages. Irrigation authorities confirmed that the water level at Guddu has risen by nearly 30,000 cusecs in 24 hours, with inflows now recorded at 390,704 cusecs.
At Sukkur Barrage, inflows stood at 324,000 cusecs with outflows of 280,050 cusecs, while Kotri Barrage reported 244,283 cusecs inflow and 231,763 cusecs outflow, both above normal levels. Authorities warned that a major flood wave is expected to pass through Guddu on Monday, which could intensify the situation downstream.
Meanwhile, Trimmu Barrage recorded a sharp surge, with inflows rising by 112,576 cusecs in the past 12 hours to reach 488,169 cusecs, while outflows matched the same figure. Panjnad Barrage remained steady at 345,047 cusecs inflow and outflow, but its influence is expected to affect Guddu and Sukkur in the coming hours.
Large portions of Katcha areas near Guddu have already been submerged, forcing families to abandon homes and livestock. In Sehwan, residents of river belt villages were instructed to evacuate immediately.
Sindh Excise and Taxation Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla said all necessary arrangements were in place to manage the floodwaters, while Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Owais Qadir Shah, during a visit to Sukkur Barrage, cautioned that the true scale of the disaster would only be clear once the flood wave fully reaches Guddu and Panjnad.
Authorities continue to warn of fluctuating water levels that may worsen the crisis in vulnerable areas, with relief and rescue teams placed on alert.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday said the provincial government was fully engaged in contingency planning to handle potential floods, with preparations based on possible water flows of up to 800,000 cusecs.
Addressing a press conference at the Flood Monitoring Cell in Karachi, he said the ongoing monsoon rains have already created flood-like conditions in several districts. He warned that a surge of around 700,000 cusecs is expected at Panjnad, while nearly 217,000 cusecs of water was anticipated to enter the Indus River from Taunsa.
He noted that the peak water level at Guddu Barrage is expected on Sept 9, and the provincial government had stepped up preparations accordingly.
“Many residents of vulnerable districts have already been evacuated. Relief camps, medicines, and food supplies are being provided to flood victims,” Shah said, adding that over 324,000 people have been relocated to safer areas.
Also, President Asif Ali Zardari directed all institutions to remain fully prepared for the heavy rains forecast in Sindh from Sunday night through Tuesday. He instructed provincial, district, and municipal authorities to stay on high alert, especially in low-lying and coastal areas vulnerable to flooding, and to make advance arrangements for public safety.
He stressed close monitoring of water levels in Hub Dam and other reservoirs and called for timely relocation of residents from at-risk areas. He said that relief staff and machinery at the district and tehsil levels must remain fully mobilized.
Meanwhile, in a desperate bid to save Jhang city from the raging waters of River Chenab, authorities breached the railway line near Revas Bridge, diverting the flood stream. While this step shielded urban areas, it devastated nearby villages, including Ragowana and Nankana, where residents were forced to flee within hours, abandoning homes and crops. Displaced families are now living under the open sky on railway tracks, with little food or shelter.
Flood victims accused the Jhang district administration of distributing relief goods selectively under political influence, leaving many deserving families unaided. They appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to intervene. The district administration, however, claimed that relief teams had been instructed to provide rations and supplies to the affected population.
Meanwhile, a tragic lightning strike killed 60-year-old Zahra Bibi and injured her husband in Kaki Nau village near Shorkot. Rescue 1122 provided first aid to the injured man, who declined to move his wife’s body to hospital.
On the other hand, torrential rain that began at 4am on Sunday and continued until 1pm unleashed fresh devastation across Gujrat district, deepening the crisis for residents already struggling with stagnant floodwaters.
Despite five days of drainage efforts, water levels had only slightly receded before the latest spell re-submerged major roads including Kutchehry Chowk, Bhimber Road, and Court Road, leaving much of the city waterlogged. In Lalamusa, overflowing drains and streams swamped service roads, markets, and residential localities such as Sardarpura, Qasba, Barkat Park Road and Galla Mandi, overwhelming fragile infrastructure.
For residents, the situation has turned into a humanitarian crisis. Families remain trapped in waterlogged homes without food, clean water, or electricity. Shops stand gutted, relief supplies are scarce, and motor pumps have failed to provide even basic drainage. Civil society groups are attempting to distribute rations, but many households remain unreached.
Anger is mounting against the administration, which locals accuse of indifference. “Operations are underway,” officials claim, but on the ground no urgency or meaningful relief is visible. Disillusioned citizens now speak of governance failure, not just natural disaster.
With many families fleeing their homes, Gujrat is fast becoming a city abandoned — not only by its residents but, as many argue, by its rulers.
However, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took emergency measures to cope with the flood situation in Gujrat, deploying heavy machinery, technical staff and senior officials to speed up relief and drainage operations.
WASA equipment from five major cities, including Lahore, has been sent to Gujrat, while five provincial secretaries — Housing, Communication & Works, Local Government, and Irrigation — have been assigned to oversee operations on the ground. Additional heavy machinery and staff will arrive within the next two days, the CM confirmed.
Maryam directed authorities to immediately implement the Rs21 billion package recently approved for a modern drainage and sewerage system in Gujrat. She said a complete flood drain system would be built on modern engineering lines, while the newly established WASA Gujrat would be equipped with heavy machinery within a week.
Officials briefed the CM that 83 skilled staff have been deployed, along with 26 drainage pumps, 24 water supply pumps, 7 water bowsers, 4 excavators, 2 large generators, and a fuel truck. Drainage operations have cleared several localities, including Green Town, Makki Mohalla, Kalra Kalan, Railway Road and Padhi Colony.
The CM noted that while a drain is diverting 20pc of floodwater, the majority is still flowing towards the city. However, she expressed satisfaction that water levels have dropped by two feet in one day, declaring it a “sign of success” in ongoing operations.
She also highlighted the use of drone cameras to identify bottlenecks in water flow and directed the Irrigation Department to conduct a research study for long-term flood management.
Maryam appreciated the dedication of provincial secretaries, engineers, and staff working round the clock and assured citizens that the situation was improving rapidly. “Soon, the people of Gujrat will get complete relief from this problem,” she said.
The CM office sources said Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s team was actively working across flood-affected districts, ensuring health and sanitation facilities in relief camps.
On her directives, mosquito-killer and disinfectant sprays are being carried out in flood-hit areas, along with anti-dengue and anti-fog measures to curb infectious diseases. Special teams of ‘Suthra Punjab’ have also been deployed to maintain hygiene in tent cities and relief sites.
The CM instructed health authorities to continue the anti-dengue campaign in flood-hit districts, including Narowal, Nankana Sahib and Pakpattan.
To address safe drinking water needs, the Punjab Clean Water Authority and WASA are supplying water through white containers and bottled water, delivered even by boats in remote areas of Gujrat, Hafizabad, Jhang, Sargodha, Kasur, and Rajanpur. The containers are being filled from certified filtration plants before reaching flood victims.
Meanwhile, a boat rescuing people from floods flipped over in Jalalpur Pirwala, killing a 70-year-old woman and four children, authorities said Sunday.
“The incident happened when an underwater object hit Rescue 1122 boat,” the provincial disaster management authority’s director general Irfan Ali Kathia told local media.
“Ten other people were rescued but unfortunately five people lost their lives in the incident,” he added of the incident late Saturday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in a rescue boat tragedy in Jalalpur Pirwala.
They extended heartfelt condolences to the families of five people who lost their lives in the accident and prayed for elevation of the ranks of deceased, and patience for the bereaved families.
Directing authorities to expedite relief efforts, the Prime Minister said that rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas must be further accelerated and made more effective. He stressed that timely and comprehensive assistance should be ensured for all displaced persons.
He also instructed that coordination and cooperation with provincial governments be further strengthened to enhance rescue and relief operations.
Highlighting the broader challenge, the prime minister said Pakistan continues to suffer from the harmful effects of climate change despite contributing negligibly to global greenhouse gas emissions. He noted that Pakistan remained among the most affected countries in the world due to climate change.
Separately, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo visited flood relief camps in Multan, accompanied by Special Secretary South Punjab Sarfaraz Khan Magasi, DG Information Agriculture Naveed Asmat Kahloon, Director Agriculture Extension Multan Shehzad Sabir, and Dr Ijaz Gorsi from Livestock. He also extended Eid Milad-un-Nabi greetings to flood-affected families and reviewed arrangements for food, shelter and medical facilities.
Sahoo acknowledged that the recent floods have caused severe losses to the agricultural economy, adding that committees are being formed to assess crop damage. He informed that 1,200 field staff of the Agriculture Department are on flood duty.
So far, relief efforts have included 650 trolleys of green fodder distributed for livestock; 1,300 carts and loader rickshaws used for fodder supply; over 7,000 maunds of toori (wheat straw) provided; 2,000 silage bales handed over to administrators; 300 acres of government farm fodder reserved for flood-affected farmers’ animals; 14 bulldozers deployed to strengthen protective embankments.
The secretary assured that the Agriculture Department would continue to support farming communities until normalcy is restored.
