The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of flooding in eastern and western rivers and streams, along with the possibility of urban flooding in low lying areas, between July 19 and 23.
In a statement issued on social media, the NDMA said that a strong spell of intense monsoon and western winds will cause heavy rainfall at various locations in Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Azad Kashmir and upper Punjab from July 20 to 23.
According to the authority, there is a risk of flash floods and hill torrents in Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and northern upper Punjab, while flood surges are expected in the Chenab River (Marala) and the Jhelum River (upper Mangla area).
Earlier this week, the Punjab government put the irrigation department on high alert for the monsoon season, as authorities dealt with uncertainty over river flows following India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
Preparations were complicated by a lack of reliable hydrological data, with reports confirming that India has withheld information since the treaty was placed in abeyance in April 2025.
Lahore Commissioner Nauman Yousaf addressed the risks during a briefing at the time, directing the irrigation department to take extra precautionary measures.
“If they [India] are not giving information [related to river flows, flood situation etc], then we must be very vigilant. So, if the flood situation is normal, you must make arrangements required for medium floods and if the situation is medium, then go for arrangements that are required under the high-flood category,” the commissioner had told irrigation officers.
Local administrations in Lahore and Sheikhupura were also directed to finalise all flood-related protocols, with precautionary measures including the clearing of temporary encroachments from the Ravi riverbed and a crackdown on illegal sand excavation near strategic bridges, which poses a threat to critical infrastructure.
Social media claims of a sudden surge in the Ravi had caused public anxiety at the time, though senior irrigation officials dismissed the rumours, stating that water flows in all rivers including the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej remained within normal ranges.
