The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued an urgent alert on Thursday, predicting heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds in parts of Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The affected areas include Poonch, Bagh, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Murree, and Galyat, with the downpour expected within the next few hours. The PMD has urged residents to take precautions and stay informed as the weather system intensifies.
While monsoon rains (June–September) provide much-needed relief from heat and replenish water supplies, they also trigger deadly floods, landslides, and infrastructure damage, particularly in poorly drained or densely populated regions. Since late June, KP alone has recorded 71 rain-related deaths—over half of them children—and 86 injuries, according to the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Nationwide, the death toll has climbed to 299, as per the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The PMD has advised provincial disaster management agencies and district administrations to prepare for possible urban flooding and take preventive measures. Earlier forecasts predicted continued rainfall across upper and central Pakistan this week, heightening concerns for vulnerable communities. Rescue teams remain on standby, particularly in high-risk zones prone to flash floods and landslides.
Residents in affected areas are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from waterways, and monitor weather updates. Emergency contact numbers for disaster response have been activated, and relief efforts are being coordinated to assist displaced families. With more rain expected, authorities emphasize community preparedness to minimize further casualties and damage.