ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday issued directives to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), rescue agencies, and concerned authorities to stay on high alert amid the ongoing heavy rains and the potential for emergency situations.
The directive followed warnings from the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), which stated that the combination of moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, along with a strong westerly wave, is expected to bring moderate to heavy monsoon rainfall until Thursday. The rain is likely to cause flooding along rivers and streams, particularly the Indus.
In light of the situation, the Prime Minister instructed the NDMA, rescue teams, and administrative bodies to immediately implement safety measures and take precautionary actions. He also ordered enhanced coordination between the NDMA and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), as well as with provincial governments and other relevant institutions, to effectively handle potential flood situations.
The Prime Minister also directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to ensure the public is informed with accurate and real-time updates. He further emphasized the need for provincial administrations to continue public awareness campaigns in anticipation of possible flooding.
The NEOC’s forecast indicates that increased water flows are expected in major rivers, including the Kabul, Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. The NDMA noted that low flood levels are currently observed at Tarbela, Kalabagh, and Chashma, with the Taunsa region also expected to reach low flood levels. Other areas, including the Kabul river at Nowshera and the Swat and Panjkora rivers, may experience similar swelling due to rainfall in their catchment areas.
The Jhelum river, along with its tributaries, is projected to see elevated inflows, leading to localised flash floods, while the Mangla Dam on the Jhelum river is expected to reach low flood levels. In north-eastern Punjab, nullahs originating from the Pir Panjal range are likely to see significant increases in water levels, with some hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur districts possibly reaching medium to high flood intensity.
