Water flow in rivers normal: PDMA

Authority says steps under way to relocate flood victims to their homes

LAHORE:

The water flow in all the rivers of Punjab was normal, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) spokesperson on Saturday said, adding that there was no threat of flooding.

The water level in Chenab River was continuously decreasing, he added. The water flow in Ravi, Sutlej and Jhelum rivers is normal. Water discharge is continuing from the flooded areas of DG Khan Division.
The PDMA spokesperson further said steps were under way to relocate the flood victims to their homes.

He added that all organisations were working together to provide relief to the flood victims. The spokesperson further claimed that they were providing all the facilities including food and drinks to the affected people on the instructions of the Punjab government.

He added that on the directions of the provincial government, MPAs and senior officers were monitoring the relief operation. “Damage was being estimated in the flood-hit areas in the light of Punjab government guidelines,” he maintained.

He further said the Punjab government was taking necessary steps to rehabilitate the flood victims.
However, the spokesperson warned that there was a risk of flooding in rivers connected to the Koh-e-Sulaiman mountain range with further rains.

The spokesperson assured the residents that all institutions of Punjab were on alert to deal with any emergency situation. On Thursday, the Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) had forecast that the water flow in Punjab’s Chenab River at Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad would reach a medium to high flood within the next 24 hours.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had issued instructions to all concerned federal ministries and departments; Punjab government and the PDMA Punjab to take appropriate measures and if required, seek support from the Centre well in time.

The authority had also directed relevant departments of the Punjab government to sensitise people living along the banks of Chenab River and in vicinity of adjoining nullahs about the expected increase in the water flow.

Citing the FFD report, the PDMA Punjab had said the water discharge in Chenab River was recorded at 15,4890 cusecs which, it warned, may cause flooding in the areas of Hafizabad district. It had advised that the adjacent districts should also complete their preparations and set up relief camps.

Earlier this month, the PDMA Punjab had alerted the relevant departments to take all precautionary measures ahead of expected rains and potential flooding. This year, Pakistan has experienced four more than normal heat waves, heavy pre-monsoon and monsoon rains.

Pre-monsoon rains increased by 67% in comparison with the average of the last 30 years while monsoon rains increased by 193%. The proportion of monsoon rains in Balochistan was 467% higher than the average of the last 30 years, while that of Sindh stood at 390%.