Islamabad, September 2, 2026: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of more widespread rain and thunderstorms across the upper parts of the country over the coming days, with heavy to very heavy falls potentially triggering urban and flash flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and several other vulnerable areas.
In a weather advisory issued at 3pm on Wednesday, the Met Office said monsoon currents were penetrating the upper regions of the country while a westerly wave was also affecting the area and was likely to strengthen on September 4 and 5.
Under the influence of the weather system, rain, wind and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy falls, are expected in several parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan from Thursday through Sunday, with occasional breaks.
In Kashmir, affected areas include Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain and thunderstorms are expected in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar during the same period.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is expected to receive more intense rainfall, with the PMD forecasting scattered heavy and, at times, very heavy falls from the evening of September 3 through September 5.
The affected areas include Peshawar, Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu and Waziristan.
The PMD has forecast rain and thunderstorms, accompanied by isolated heavy or very heavy falls, in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang and Attock from September 3 to 5.
Several other parts of Punjab, including Lahore, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Wazirabad, Hafizabad and Kasur, are also expected to receive thunderstorms and heavy rainfall during the period.
Between September 4 and 5, similar weather is forecast for Okara, Nankana Sahib, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Noorpur Thal, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal and Dera Ghazi Khan and adjoining areas.
The weather system has raised particular concern for the twin cities, which have already experienced heavy rainfall and water accumulation this week.
The Met Office warned that heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as well as Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Lahore, particularly on Friday and Saturday.
It also cautioned against possible flash flooding in local streams and nullahs in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat and the twin cities.
“Landslides may occur in hilly areas of KP, GB, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir during the forecast period,” the advisory said, urging tourists and travellers to remain cautious.
The PMD advised farmers to plan crop-related activities according to the expected weather and directed all concerned authorities to remain alert and take precautionary measures to minimise the risk of accidents and other untoward incidents.
The warning comes after heavy rain lashed Rawalpindi and Islamabad earlier this week, inundating several low-lying areas and raising water levels in Leh Nullah.
On Monday, around two hours of intense rainfall caused water to accumulate on streets and in low-lying neighbourhoods of Rawalpindi, turning several roads into pools and leaving cars and motorcycles stranded.
