Updated Monsoon Casualties and Damage Figures

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has provided the latest data on casualties and damages resulting from the ongoing monsoon rains, reporting that at least 302 individuals have died.

Recent statistics indicate that two additional fatalities occurred in the last 24 hours due to house collapses, one man in Punjab and one child in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Furthermore, twelve individuals have been reported injured in various rain-related incidents, bringing the total number of injuries to 727 nationwide.

Among the deceased, there are 104 men, 57 women, and 141 children. The injured include 278 men, 207 women, and 242 children. According to the NDMA spokesperson, the rainfall has also resulted in damage to 1,678 homes and the loss of 428 livestock.

Flood Forecast Issued

The NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) has issued a flood advisory for the period of August 5-10, indicating the potential for flooding. A new westerly wave is expected to arrive around August 5, intensifying rainfall in the upper and central regions until August 10.

This weather pattern could lead to increased river flows, urban flooding, and localized flash floods in susceptible areas. Higher flows are anticipated in major rivers, specifically the Jhelum and Chenab. The River Chenab at Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad could experience medium to high flood conditions. Similarly, the River Jhelum and its upstream tributaries near Mangla are also at risk of reaching high flood levels.

The River Kabul at Nowshera is projected to reach low flood levels. The Swat and Panjkora Rivers, along with their associated streams, may see medium flows due to ongoing rainfall in their respective catchment zones.

Currently, the Tarbela, Kalabagh, Chashma, Taunsa, and Guddu barrages are at low flood levels; however, further increases in water inflows and outflows could elevate them to medium flood levels.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, increased flows are anticipated in the Hunza and Shigar Rivers, with the possibility of localized flash floods in tributaries like the Hispar, Khunjerab, Shimshal, Braldu, Hushe, and Saltoro Rivers. Stream networks in Balochistan’s Musakhel, Sherani, Zhob, and Sibi districts may also swell due to anticipated rainfall. Tarbela Dam is at 90% of its storage capacity, while Mangla Dam is at 60%, with expectations of further increases in the coming days.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has also forecasted rain-wind and thundershowers in isolated areas of Northeastern Punjab, the Potohar region, Islamabad, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmir. Hot and humid conditions are expected to persist across most of the country.

The weather department’s alert highlights a potential wet spell affecting Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this week, raising the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), flash floods, and landslides in vulnerable glaciated areas.