- FFC forecasts high-level flood in Chenab, associated Nullahs of River Ravi in next 48 hours
- A total of 76 fatalities recorded across country since start of monsoon season on June 25
ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) announced on Sunday that India has discharged 185,000 cusecs of water into River Ravi, signalling imminent threat of flooding in the area within the next 20 to 24 hours.
On the other hand, the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) has said that medium to high flood discharge is expected in River Ravi at Jassar (first control structure on River Ravi in Pakistan) and high-level flooding in River Chenab and associated Nullahs of River Ravi during the next 48 hours.
In response to this development, the NDMA has called upon the local administration and relevant departments in the vulnerable region to enhance their preparedness.
Under the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960, India has the right to release water into River Ravi, along with Sutlej and Beas. Last year, a discharge of 173 cusecs of water had been reported.
Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Gujrat said the high flood in the region could potentially impact 59 villages, which is a seasonal occurrence after monsoon rainfall in the river’s catchment area.
According to the NDMA, a total of 76 fatalities have been recorded across Pakistan since the start of the monsoon season on June 25. In the last 24 hours, nine additional deaths and eight injuries were reported. The highest number of casualties were recorded in Punjab, with five new deaths bringing the province’s total to 48.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ranks second on the list with 20 fatalities, followed by Balochistan with five, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir with three.
The NDMA further disclosed that out of the 76 reported deaths, 30 were men, 15 were women, and 31 were children. Additionally, 78 houses have been damaged. The total number of reported injuries currently stands at 133, including 48 men, 38 women, and 48 children.
The MET office has warned that flooding was possible in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, and Lahore, with the risk of flashfloods in hilly western areas late this week.
Ravi, Chenab rivers likely to become furious in next 48 hours
The Federal Flood Commission (FFC) has said that medium to high flood discharge is expected in River Ravi at Jassar (first control structure on River Ravi in Pakistan) and high-level flooding in River Chenab and associated Nullahs of River Ravi during next 48 hours.
According to the daily FFC report on Sunday, except for River Kabul which continues to flow in “Low Flood” at Nowshera, all major rivers of the country are presently flowing in “Normal Flow Conditions”.
At present combined live storage of three major reservoirs show a healthy position (61.04% of total 13.443 MAF as against 18.74% last year).
According to Flood Forecasting Division (FFD), Lahore, yesterday’s deep Trough of the Westerly Wave still persists over Northern parts of Pakistan whereas Seasonal Low lies over Northwestern Balochistan. Upper air cyclonic circulation (the main source of streams of air at higher altitude) yesterday over Northwestern Madhya Pradesh (India) lies over Western Rajasthan (India).
At the reporting time, strong monsoon currents from the Bay of Bengal has weakened slightly and thus moderate monsoon currents from both sources (Bay of Bengal & Arabian Sea) are now penetrating into the upper parts of Pakistan upto 7,000 feet.
Widespread wind thunderstorms/rain with heavy falls at isolated places and very heavy falls at one or two places over the upper catchments of rivers Ravi & Sutlej is expected during the next 24 hours. Scattered wind thunderstorm rain of moderate intensity with isolated heavy falls over Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Kalat, Naseerabad, Loralai, Sibbi & Zhob Divisions of Balochistan is also expected besides over the upper catchments of rivers Indus, Jhelum and Chenab during the said period.
In view of the above, all concerned organizations including PDMAs/ DDMAs (especially Punjab) are strictly advised to remain fully alert & vigilant, take timely actions on warnings issued by the concerned organizations (especially in the context of flood-generating discharges in eastern rivers) to ensure the safety of communities living in low lying areas, public & private property besides irrigation, drainage, flood protection & river training infrastructure etc.
PDMA DG visits Sialkot, reviews relief camps
Director General (DG) Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab, Imran Qureshi visited Head Marala Sialkot and inspected all Naullahs passing through the city.
He also chaired a meeting to review the preparations for rescue and relief activities. He expressed satisfaction over the measures taken by the district administration for setting up 22 relief camps, health department, livestock counters, rescue and relief in the four tehsils.
The DG said that in the next 24 hours, the flow of water in Chenab River was likely to be between 2,00,000 and 2,15,000 cusecs, which would be a medium level flood, however, there was a capacity of 1,100,000 cusecs of water to be released from Head Marala. He added there was the information of 60,000 cusecs of water streaming into the river Jammu Tawi.
More rains likely in KP
On the other hand, the Peshawar Regional Meteorological Department officials said here Sunday said that more rains are likely in all districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar.
The official said that with the chance of heavy rains in Hazara, Malakand, Mardan and Peshawar divisions the minimum temperature of Peshawar city is 24 centigrade recorded and during the last 20 hours, Abbottabad recorded the highest rainfall of 21 mm.
Saidu Sharif, Swat 15 mm rain, 11 mm in Mansehra, Mardan and Balakot, 9 mm rain in Kalam, 5 mm in Kohistan recorded, the official of the Meteorological Department said. The spell of rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is likely to continue till July 10, the official of the Meteorological Department said.
More rains forecast in Karachi
The Met Office Sunday said that monsoon currents continue to penetrate in southeast Sindh predicting more rainfall in the region.
Thunderstorm and rain with isolated heavy falls likely in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tharparker, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal and Matiari districts today, according to the weather department.
Isolated thunderstorm or rain also expected in Sukkur, Khairpur, Kashmore, Ghotki, Jacobabad, Kambar-Shahdadkot, Larkana, Dadu and Jamshoro distts at evening or night, Met Office said. Under the influence of ongoing weather system rain occurred at various places in the region yesterday.
Yesterday maximum rainfall occurred in Nagarparkar 112mm, Chhachhro 98mm, Dhali 80mm, Mithi 68mm, Islamkot 59mm, Diplo 37mm, Badin 17mm, Mirpur Khas 10mm. Karachi (DHA Phase-II 23mm, Jinnah Terminal 22mm, Quaidabad, Gulshan-e-Hadeed 17mm, University Road 15mm, Faisal Base 14mm, Old Airport 13mm, Gulshan-e-Maymar 08mm, Korangi 05mm, Saadi Town, Surjani Town 03mm, Nazimabad, North Karachi, Saddar 01mm. Traces of rainfall also reported from Masroor Base, Orangi Town and Keamari.
