More floods to hit Sindh: PMD

MET department predicts another spell of torrential rains across the country

ISLAMABAD:

Authorities in Sindh have been warned to brace for flooding as another spell of wet weather sweeps across the country.

In its fresh advisory, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) cautioned the provincial administration in Sindh against the threat of flash floods and asked authorities to evacuate residents from areas surrounding the river bed to minimise casualties.

Commenting on the situation, PMD Director General  Dr Ghulam Rasul said: “The water levels are high, therefore early evacuation of the low lying areas near the river beds could save many lives.”

Read: PAF helicopter carrying flood relief goods crash-lands in Chitral

Rasul said floodwaters had risen to record levels at Guddu and Sukkur barrages and are expected to flow with high intensity throughout Sindh, putting settlements in nearby areas at risk. Meanwhile, the PMD chief claimed that flood water levels have dropped in Punjab.

Talking about the wet weather, Rasul said that spells of heavy rain were expected to pound down within next few days.  He predicted that the unsettled spell of weather is set to continue, with moderate to heavy rain expected across the country till August 12. The humidity level will remain above 60 per cent in the upcoming days, especially in areas hit by flash floods, the PMD chief added.

About the chances of a deluge in August, he said it is too early to predict any heavy flooding across the country. However, throughout monsoon season there are chances of heavy showers which could generate floods, he cautioned.

Flash floods

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), flash floods have claimed three more lives during the last 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 166.

Providing  a regional breakdown of flood-related deaths, the disaster management agency said at least 79 people were killed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), followed by 42 in Punjab, 23 in Azad Kashmir, 13 in Balochistan, seven in G-B and two in Fata.

Meanwhile, on the directives of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Sindh, 369 relief camps have been established in the province, the authority said in a statement. As many as 108,024 flood victims have been shifted at these camps from the reverine areas. According to the statement all necessary facilities are being provided at the relief camps.

Read: Over a million people affected by floods in Pakistan: NDMA

PDMA said that it has provided 22,921 tents in 18 districts, 48 boats with generators and engines in 12 districts, 73 heavy-pumps for draining out water, 5,000 solar lights in seven districts, 5,000 jerry cans in five districts besides 24,150 ration bags, 20 water tanks, 3,000 mats and 88,000 mosquito nets.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2015.