A view of Sukkur Barrage surrounded by flood water. PHOTO: FILE
The low flood is increasing the water level in both the barrages, while the flow of water in Kotri Barrage is normal. More rainfall in the upper catchment areas might increase the volume of Indus River, otherwise the present low flood will subside in the next week.
Sukkur Barrage control room in-charge Abdul Aziz Soomro informed that 317,522 cusecs of water was recorded at the upstream of Guddu Barrage on Sunday, while the discharge at its downstream was 282,540 cusecs.
At Sukkur Barrage, upstream was about 212,540 cusecs and downstream was 156,775 cusecs, while at the Kotri Barrage the upstream was 56,109 cusecs and downstream was 16,674 cusecs.
The rainfall in Chitral, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa last week increased the water level in Indus River due to which the discharge at Guddu Barrage might go up to 336,000 cusecs and for Sukkur Barrage at about 250,000 cusecs in the next couple of days, said Soomro.
It is expected that from Monday (today) onwards, the water level at Guddu Barrage will start decreasing and this will continue till the next week. A decrease of about 100,000 cusecs is expected at both barrages, informed Soomro. If rainfall does not occur next week in the upper catchment areas, there might be a shortage of water at both Guddu and Sukkur barrages, he said further.
Currently, the authorities are releasing water into all seven off-taking canals, but if the water level keeps on receding then the water discharge will have to be reduced, he explained.
On Sunday morning, the pond level at Tarbela Dam was recorded to be 1,511 feet, the inflow was about 233,800 cusecs and the outflow was 233,200 cusecs, said Soomro. Thirty-nine feet more water is required to fill the dam to its full capacity of 1,550 feet, he explained, adding that as per schedule the dam reaches its full capacity by August 15 every year. Therefore, the authorities are releasing more water from the dam to leave space for more rainfall, he said.
No danger
The katcha areas (riverine area) are so far safe and there is no immediate threat to the residents living there, informed Haji Mohammad Siddiq a resident of the katcha area near Qadirpur loop bund in Ghotki while talking to The Express Tribune over the phone. The water level is rising but the water is still away from our villages, he claimed.
However, the residents are on guard and have already constructed eight to ten feet high platforms with the help of bamboo and wooden planks to protect their stocks of grain and other valuables in case of flooding, he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2016.
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