Islamabad/Lahore/SUKKUR:
As the country rolls from devastating floods caused by one of the most intense monsoon seasons in the recent memory, road officials have predicted a fresh magic form from September 16 to 18.
Unlike the heavy rainfall in August, the upcoming spell is probably of moderate intensity. Authorities closely monitor the situation and have called on local administrations to remain on high alarm.
Meanwhile, officials warned that districts, including Multan, Muzaffargarh, Liaquatpur and Rahim Yar Khan, have increased the risk as India continues to release high amounts of water in downstream rivers.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), protective dams at Basti Baharan are near the multan collapse while a deliberate cut on UCH Sharif Road was made to protect the city from flooding. This step left the surrounding villages – Mouza Jhanbo, Nooraja Bhatta, Kotla, Bahadurpur and Sabra – hard hit.
At Sher Shah Dyke, Water continues to push against the barrier, although the decision to break the dam has been delayed after the immediate flood threat in Jalalpur Pirwala temporarily diminished.
The situation at the head Panjnad remains alarming, with a massive flood wave of 607,000 CUSERCS flowing through. Previously, almost 70 percent of Alipur was immersed, leaving widespread destruction.
In Farid Shah near Qabulah, thousands of hectares of crops have been destroyed and road connections cut off, forcing residents to evacuate by boat. In Lodhran’s Akbar Shah area, more than 2,000 houses are underwater, with cotton, rice, corn and sesame crops wiped out completely.
The Arifwala region also fights against high floods in the Sutlej River, where displaced families protect in provisional camps and wait for relief.
In Tehsil Liaquatpur Narwala (Rahim Yar Khan), river water has entered into areas that had been dry for decades, created chaos and forced mass evacuations. Local authorities have declared the protection of life, livestock and property their highest priority.
On the head of Panjnad at Chenab, the flood has risen over 668,000 CUSERCS and quickly moved towards Simka Chachran. Despite previous signs of relief, the water level rises again.
In addition, the Taunsa barrier on the River Indus records an emission of about 200,000 CUSERCS, while Trimmu Barrage releases 188,000 CUSSCS against Sindh.
At Ganda Singh Wala, the Sutlej River flows with more than 182,000 CUSSCS, where Indian water releases continue in the third day in a row, which further aggravates the crisis.
Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported a decrease in water currents on Thursday in most rivers due to reduced monsoon rains. Precipitation in the top drainage areas has also stopped.
According to PDMA, the stream of water in the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala was 182,000 cusecs, while at Sulemanki it stood at 124,000 CUSSCS. The Chenab River recorded currents of 50,000 CUSERCS at Marala, 92,000 CUSSCS in KHANKI Main Work and 94,000 CUSSCS in Qadirabad.
The Ravi River Power was 23,000 CUSSCS in Jassar, 31,000 CUSCS in Shahdara, 78,000 CUSSCS on Sidhnai Headworks and 63,000 CUSSCS at Balloki Headworks. At Trimmu Headworks, the power was 178,000 CUSSCS, while in Panjnad the main works stood at 660,000 CUSSCS.
Compared to the previous days, the current has fallen at Sidhnai and Trimmu’s main works, but increased by Panjnad.
The meteorological department reported a significant increase in the water level in the country’s largest reservoirs.
Tarbela Dam has reached its maximum capacity of 1,550 feet, while Rawal Dam is at 1,751.80 feet – almost at its full capacity of 1,752 feet.
Mangla Dam is 92 percent full of 1,234.60 feet and Simli Dam has reached its maximum storage of 2,315.25 feet. In response, emissions of all major dams are opened to release excess water and protect infrastructure.
Sindh situation
The flood that caused destruction in Punjab has now entered the Indus River, causing a rapid increase in the water level at the goddu and succession barriers.
According to irrigation worker on Thursday, over the last 24 hours, the water level at both barriers has risen by thousands of CUSCS.
According to the latest data, the influx of the Guddu barrier is 502,861 CUSSCS, while the outflow is 407,970 CUSSCS.
At the SUKKUR barrier, the influx is 440,985 CUSERCS, and the outflow is 412,735 CUSSCS. The Kotri barrier has an influx of 257,754 CUSSCS and an outflow of 254,354 CUSSCS.
The rising water levels in the river Indus have flooded several areas of Kachha (the river region), where flooding water enters several villages.
