Pakistan is devastated by monsoon floods.

severe monsoon rains over areas of Pakistan on Saturday caused flooding, washing away vehicles, destroying public infrastructure and disrupting transport links, while authorities warned of further severe rain and flash floods in the coming days.

In Khyber district, flash floods swept away two vehicles at different locations. Women and children travelling in the vehicles were rescued, while authorities claimed three people remained missing. Another car was caught in floodwaters near Zakaria Mosque in the Khuga Khel area, but all occupants were rescued safely.

In Hafizabad, the water level of the Chenab River near Head Qadirabad was on the rise with imports of 138,000 cusecs and outflows of 115,000 cusecs, causing low-level flooding.

Two government schools in Layyah’s Samran Sheeb area were washed away by the strong currents of the Indus River. So far, hundreds of acres of farmland, about 300 residences in over five communities, three mosques, electrical poles and other public facilities have been damaged by river erosion.

Heavy rains also wrecked the Kohliya Bridge in Hasan Abdal, cutting off road connectivity between various border villages in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leaving locals with severe travel difficulties.

A cloudburst in Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley caused flash floods in streams, submerging houses and shops. Several vehicles and motorcycles were washed away by the floodwater at Mengal Nala and livestock was also lost. Traffic on the main Neelum Highway was disrupted.

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted widespread rain and thunderstorms in parts of the country till July 25, warning of possible urban flooding in low-lying areas and increased water levels in rivers and streams till July 23.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), an intense monsoon system is likely to produce heavy rainfall until July 23, raising the risk of flash floods and hill torrents in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and Punjab.

The NDMA also warned of probable flooding in the upper levels of the Chenab River at Marala and the Jhelum River near Mangla, as well as flash floods in streams flowing through Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Bhimber and Muridke. Authorities also warned of possible floods in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Murree and the Galiyat from heavy rain, while high water levels are also forecast in the Kabul River and its tributaries, especially in Panjkora, Swat and Chitral.