Pakistan Grapples with Monsoon Emergency Amidst Heightened India Tensions:
"High Alert Rain Emergency" across the country and ongoing discussions surrounding Pakistan's decisions impacting neighboring India.
1. High Alert Rain Emergency in Pakistan
Severe Monsoon Onslaught: Pakistan is enduring a severe monsoon season, with multiple sources, including ARY News, reporting a "High Alert Rain Emergency." The Punjab province, in particular, has been significantly affected.
Widespread Flooding and Fatalities: Torrential monsoon rains, which commenced in late June, have triggered widespread flash floods. As of July 17-18, 2025, dozens of fatalities have been confirmed nationwide, with a substantial number occurring in Punjab. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) are continuously issuing warnings and advisories.
Urban Paralysis and Infrastructure Damage: Major cities like Rawalpindi and Lahore have experienced severe urban flooding, leading to inundated streets and numerous house collapses. Rescue operations are actively underway, utilizing boats to evacuate residents from low-lying areas and villages adjacent to overflowing rivers.
Localized Events and River Threats: Specific incidents include a cloudburst in the Jhelum district causing flash floods, and concerns over rapidly rising water levels in Rawalpindi's Lai Nullah river. The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) has additionally forecasted exceptionally high flood levels, potentially reaching 350,000-450,000 cusecs, in the Jhelum River at Mangla.
Government Response and Preparedness: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz of Punjab has acknowledged the gravity of the natural disaster, with the government emphasizing its commitment to rescue and relief efforts. A state of emergency has been declared in several affected districts, and army troops have joined rescue operations.
2. Pakistan's Decisions Impacting India
Extended Airspace Closure: Geo News has prominently highlighted discussions concerning Pakistan's actions affecting India, most notably the continued closure of Pakistani airspace for Indian flights. This ban, initially imposed after cross-border incidents, has now been extended until August 24, 2025. A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) came into effect on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 3:50 PM India time. This means no Indian airline-operated or Indian-owned/leased military and civilian flights are permitted through Pakistani airspace.
Context of Closure: The airspace restrictions were a tit-for-tat measure following India's own airspace ban on Pakistani aircraft, imposed on April 30 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people.
Donald Trump's Mediation Claims: Interestingly, President Donald Trump has re-entered the narrative concerning Pakistan-India hostilities. He has repeatedly claimed credit for a truce breakthrough, stating he believes "five jets were shot down" during a past conflict and asserting that the fighting ceased following his intervention, often linking it to trade discussions.
DG ISPR's Firm Stance: Earlier in July, Geo News reported on a "powerful address" by DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. He stated that Pakistan would "never bow to Indian hegemony" and would respond "swiftly and decisively" if challenged, underscoring the military's commitment to peace while maintaining readiness for escalation if provoked. (It's important to note that some public statements by DG ISPR in June 2025 focused on the state's sole authority to declare jihad and on India backing terrorism within Pakistan, indicating consistent security concerns.)
Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Updates: The news also touches on broader security matters, including the US designating "The Resistance Front" (considered a LeT offshoot) as a "foreign terrorist organization" and Pakistan's move to list "Majeed Brigade" as an alias of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), signaling ongoing counter-terrorism and intelligence efforts.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
