Monsoon keeps Punjab rivers swollen

Low flooding in Indus, Chenab and Ravi; PMD forecasts powerful wet spell

LAHORE:

Several rivers in Punjab continued to experience flooding on Monday due to monsoon rains, although the flood situation in the Chenab River showed signs of improvement over the past 24 hours, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

The PDMA said river flows had remained stable during the past 24 hours. Low-level flooding persisted in the Indus River at Kalabagh, Chashma and Taunsa, where water flows were recorded at 273,000, 313,000 and 364,000 cusecs, respectively.

The PDMA said flood conditions in the Chenab River had receded to a low level, with low-level flooding continuing at Khanki, Qadirabad and Trimmu. Water flows at the three points were recorded at 120,000, 123,000 and 184,000 cusecs, respectively, while the flow at Marala remained within the normal range.

The Sutlej and Jhelum rivers were also flowing normally, while the Ravi River was experiencing medium-level flooding at Sidhnai, where the water flow stood at 60,000 cusecs. Water flows at Jassar, Shahdara and Balloki on the Ravi remained normal.

The PDMA reported high-level flooding in the Palkhu Nala at Wazirabad, where the water flow was measured at 5,000 cusecs, while the Basantar Nala at Narowal was experiencing low-level flooding with a flow of 3,000 cusecs.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government on Monday imposed a province-wide ban on swimming, bathing and unauthorised boating in various water bodies for two months after the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast a powerful monsoon spell from Wednesday.

The Punjab Home Department issued a notification imposing the ban under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) "to protect lives amid the prevailing weather conditions and the risk of accidents".

The notification said bathing in accumulated rainwater in open spaces and public places had been prohibited. Swimming in dams, rivers, canals, ponds and lakes has also been banned, while unauthorised boating in dams, rivers, canals and distributaries is prohibited.

The notification came as the PMD said a strong monsoon system was expected to arrive on Wednesday, bringing heavy rainfall to Islamabad, upper Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the upper catchments of rivers.

The weather department warned that the new monsoon system could trigger urban flooding and raise water levels in hill torrents and nullahs. During the past 24 hours, it said Noorpur Thal received 115 millimetres of rain, followed by Gujranwala with 107mm and Gujrat with 94mm.

In view of the situation, the home secretary directed district administrations and law-enforcement agencies to ensure strict implementation of the Section 144 order. Authorities were also instructed to launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign about the restrictions.

Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Umar Mela also urged people to take precautionary measures in view of the weather and flood situation and avoid recreational activities near rivers, canals and streams.

"People living in riverbeds should immediately move to safer locations," Mela said. "Parents should keep a close watch on children and not allow them to bathe in rivers, streams or nullahs under any circumstances," he added.

Mela visited Ferozwala and Muridke to inspect protective embankments, affected villages, flooded areas and flood relief camps following the recent monsoon rains. He also received a briefing on the restoration of embankments, flood control measures, drainage and other emergency response arrangements.

The PDMA chief inspected flood relief camps and reviewed the facilities being provided to affected families, directing authorities to ensure an uninterrupted supply of food, clean drinking water, medicines and other essential items.

The PDMA chief said the provincial government had completed arrangements in areas that could be affected by flooding. He said the flood relief camps would be equipped with all basic facilities and medicines.