Pakistan is going through a heavy monsoon spell. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of rising flood risk as rains swell rivers and streams. Medium flood levels have been recorded on the Chenab (at Khanki, Qadirabad and Chiniot), and authorities have warned of possible flash floods in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Balochistan, the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and hill areas such as Murree, Mansehra and Abbottabad. Urban flooding is also affecting major cities, and rain-related casualties have been reported. Please treat this guide as general advice and always follow the latest official warnings for your area.
Before a flood — prepare now
- Keep an emergency bag ready: drinking water, dry food, essential medicines, a torch, power bank, matches and some cash.
- Put your ID cards, documents and money in a waterproof bag.
- Keep your phone charged and save emergency numbers.
- Know the safest route to higher ground from your home.
- Move valuables, electrical items and important papers to an upper floor or higher shelf.
- If you live near a river, stream (nullah) or low-lying area, be ready to leave early — do not wait for the water to reach you.
During urban flooding (in cities) — beware electricity
In cities, electrocution is one of the biggest dangers during flooding. Protect yourself:
- Stay far away from electric poles, wires, transformers and street lights — fallen or submerged wires can make water deadly.
- Do not touch switches, plugs or appliances with wet hands, and turn off the main power if water is entering your home.
- Avoid walking through underpasses and flooded low-lying roads.
- Do not let children play in rainwater or flooded streets.
During flash floods and river floods — get to higher ground
- Move to higher ground immediately if you hear a flood warning or see water rising fast.
- Never cross flowing water — on foot or by vehicle. Even knee-deep moving water can sweep away an adult, and about one foot of water can carry away a car. If a road is flooded, turn back.
- Stay away from rivers, streams and drains during and after heavy rain.
- If told to evacuate, do so at once — leaving early is far safer than being trapped.
If you get trapped
- Move to the highest safe point (upper floor or rooftop) and call for help.
- Make yourself visible to rescuers — use a torch, bright cloth or your phone light.
- Do not try to swim through fast-moving floodwater.
After the flood — stay healthy
- Do not drink flood or tap water that may be contaminated — boil or purify water before drinking.
- Avoid wading through standing water where possible; it can hide sharp debris, open manholes, snakes and disease.
- Watch for waterborne illnesses (diarrhoea, cholera) and, later, dengue and malaria from stagnant water — remove standing water around your home.
- Throw away food that has touched floodwater.
- Do not switch electricity back on until wiring has been checked.
Emergency contacts
- Rescue 1122 — rescue, ambulance and evacuation (nationwide).
- Police 15.
- Follow warnings from NDMA (ndma.gov.pk), your provincial PDMA, and the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) for your area.
The flood situation changes quickly. Always act on the latest official advisories and evacuation orders for your district — when in doubt, move to safety early.