Punjab rivers recede as flood enters Sindh

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued new figures on river flows with rivers seeing decreased levels at different points in Punjab, while Sindh braces for higher levels.

NDMA has also warned of the new monsoon spell clouding the upper regions of the country to hit by September 16.

In the River Chenab, the flow is normal with a gradual decrease at Trimmu and upstream areas, including Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad.

At Panjnad on the Chenab, a high flood wave of 308,000 cusecs is present.

Severe flood conditions persist in southern Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Alipur, Sitpur, Liaquatpur, Uch Sharif, and Ahmadpur East.

In River Ravi, the situation is normal except at Ganda Singh, where a flow of 108,000 cusecs is present. In River Sutlej, the overall situation is normal, with 89,000 cusecs at Sulemanki and 83,000 cusecs at Head Islam.

Flood conditions in Kasur, Okara, Vehari, and Bahawalnagar are gradually receding.

In the River Indus, flows at Tarbela and Taunsa are normal, while flood conditions persist at Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages.

At Guddu Barrage, a high flood of 635,000 cusecs is recorded, while Sukkur Barrage has a medium flood of 538,000 cusecs.

Kotri Barrage is currently experiencing a low flood with 278,000 cusecs.

The flood wave at Guddu Barrage is expected to reach Sukkur Barrage within the next 2 to 3 days, and Kotri Barrage between September 24-26.

After the arrival of floodwaters, the possible flow at Kotri Barrage is expected to reach between 400,000 and 445,000 cusecs.

Guddu Barrage recorded an inflow of 612,269 cusecs and an outflow of 582,942 cusecs. Residents in low-lying areas were warned to move to safer locations.

Large areas of farmland were flooded, damaging thousands of acres of crops, and river villages near Kandhkot were reported underwater. So far, around 1.6 million in Sindh have been relocated to safe areas.

New rain spell

Heavy rains are forecasted across most districts of Punjab from September 16 to 19, according to the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) spokesperson.

Rain is expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujrat, and Sialkot. Similarly, Narowal, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Okara, Sahiwal, Kasur, Jhang, Sargodha, and Mianwali are also likely to receive rainfall.

On September 18 and 19, water flow is expected to rise in the streams and nullahs of Rawalpindi, Murree, and Galiyat, the PDMA spokesperson said. In line with the Chief Minister’s directives, commissioners and deputy commissioners across Punjab are on alert, said DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia.

The forecast of the 11th spell of monsoon rain came as floods ravaged large parts of southern Punjab. PDMA has said that the Jalalpur Pirwala section of the M-5 Motorway was closed due to erosion caused by floodwaters.

Authorities warned the situation could deteriorate further with another spell of heavy rainfall expected in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) this week.

The authorities in Peshawar issued an advisory for heavy rains, thunderstorms and strong winds from September 16 to 19.

Authorities warned of flash floods, landslides in hilly areas, and damage to weak structures, electricity poles, signboards and solar panels. District administrations have been directed to keep emergency teams on alert and maintain drainage systems.

Officials stressed that with more rains forecast and reservoirs near capacity - Mangla Dam at 93 per cent, Tarbela full, and major Indian dams including Bhakra, Pong and Thein close to maximum levels - the coming days will be critical.

Authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel near rivers and mountains. Residents in vulnerable areas have been asked to move to higher ground or official relief camps.

 The PDMA's emergency helpline 1129 remains active round the clock, the PDMA said.

On the Prime Minister’s instructions, NDMA is overseeing all rescue and relief activities. The National Emergencies Operation Center is fully operational 24/7 and NDMA is in coordination with civil and military institutions.

After evacuation, ensure compliance with official instructions for returning from temporary camps to native areas. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that between June 26 and September 14, monsoon rains and floods killed 985 people and injured 1,062.