Warns of rising river levels from the 20th-24th. July with flooding in towns and cities expected across cities in Punjab
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Sunday warned of an increased flood risk across Punjab as a heavy monsoon period, coupled with an approaching westerly wave, was expected to affect the catchments of major rivers from July 20 to 24.
According to a PDMA advisory, water flows in the province’s rivers were expected to rise significantly during the period.
“Low to medium flooding is likely within the next 24 hours in Chenab river at Marala and Ravi river at Jassar, while high flooding is expected in Chenab at Marala and Jhelum upstream of Mangla between July 20 and 24,” it said.
The authority also warned of high flows in the Kabul River and its tributaries and in several nullahs linked to the Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi river systems, including Dora, Dotta, Dowara, Bhimber, Halsi, Aik, Palkhu, Bein, Basanter, Deg and Sakki.
Read: PMD warns of heavy rain, flash floods and landslides in Pakistan from 18-25. July
“Flash flooding is expected in the hill streams of Dera Ghazi Khan while urban flooding may occur in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Khushab, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar and Faisalabad,” PDMA added.
The PDMA has put commissioners, deputy commissioners, water and sanitation agency (WASA) officials, Rescue 1122 and the local government, agriculture, irrigation, health, forest, livestock and transport departments on alert.
PDMA Director General Umar Abbas Mehla directed the district administrations to implement security measures as per the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He ordered round-the-clock manning of emergency control rooms, deployment of Rescue 1122 disaster response teams and adequate fuel stocks for rescue operations.
“District administrations have also been asked to strengthen coordination with the PDMA and other departments, issue timely public safety and evacuation advisories, prepare for urban flooding, clear drainage systems, pre-position heavy machinery at vulnerable locations and deploy additional personnel and resources in high-risk areas. The highway police have been asked to issue regular updates on road conditions,” it added, adding that road conditions are being updated.
Authorities have also been instructed to ensure evacuation of people and livestock from riverbeds where necessary, establish flood relief camps with food, clean drinking water and other essential facilities and keep the public informed of the developing situation.
PDMA urged residents to follow official safety advice, cooperate with authorities in case of evacuation and contact PDMA’s helpline 1129 in case of an emergency.
