Pakistan Braces for First Monsoon Spell as Authorities Warn of Urban Flooding, Landslides

Pakistan’s first monsoon spell of the season begins today, with widespread rainfall forecast across the country, including warnings of urban flooding and landslides, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed on Monday.

According to Anjum Nazir, Deputy Director at PMD, the initial phase of the monsoon will affect most regions, with Punjab receiving early showers and Sindh—including Karachi—expected to be impacted from June 27 onward. In the southern port city, thunderstorms and heavy rain are forecast from June 27 to 29, with particularly intense downpours likely over the weekend. Authorities have warned of potential urban flooding in Karachi during this period.

The current weather system is projected to continue through July 2, followed by a second monsoon wave starting around July 5.

In response, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide advisory valid until July 1, urging provincial and local administrations to remain on high alert and ready to respond to weather-related emergencies.

Intermittent rainfall is expected across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. The PMD has flagged risks of flash floods in hilly terrain and water accumulation in low-lying urban areas.

Major urban centres such as Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, and Muzaffarabad may experience localised flooding due to overburdened drainage systems. Northwestern districts including Peshawar, Swabi, Chitral, Dir, Haripur, Karak, Kohat, and Kohistan are also on alert for heavy rainfall and associated infrastructure strain.

Further north, Gilgit-Baltistan and higher altitude regions are forecast to receive showers, with a chance of thunderstorms and hail.

In Islamabad and surrounding areas, early rainfall has brought a noticeable drop in temperature, providing temporary relief from the seasonal heat.

The NDMA has urged residents in flood-prone zones to exercise caution, as emergency services and disaster response units have been mobilised nationwide to mitigate the impact of the coming weather systems.