LAHORE: Provincial Disaster Managment Authority (PDMA) Punjab warned that the Chenab river at Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad could hit by “very high” to “exceptionally high” flood levels in next 48 hours.
As per details, the floods is expected to hit between 6am on Sept 3 and 6am on Sept 4, along with associated nullahs of Chenab and Ravi during the next 48 hours.
The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) said that the radar station of the PMD Sialkot is constantly reporting heavy to very heavy rainfall in the upper catchments of the Chenab as well as associated nullahs of Chenab and Ravi rivers, a letter by the PDMA said.
Moreover, PDMA also urged the district administrations of the mentioned districts to ensure sufficient staffing round-the-clock in District Emergency Operations Centres (DEOCs), activate flood monitoring and early warning systems, and ensure that timely information is disseminated on safety measures and evacuation plans through electronic and social media.
Earlier, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) stated in its report that rain and floodings killed 18 more and left 29 people injured across Pakistan in 24 hours.
According to NDMA, the death toll include 10 men, three women, and five children. Seven deaths were reported in Punjab, four in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and seven in Azad Kashmir.
The authority stated that six people lost their lives in flash floods, four in house collapses, one in a landslide, five in urban flooding, and two due to electrocution. In the same period, 40 houses were damaged, of which 20 were completely destroyed.
In a shocking figure since June 26, the countrywide death toll reached 881, while 1,176 people sutained injuries. The calamity has also damaged 9,206 houses and killed 6,180 livestock animals so far.
NDMA issues heavy rain alert for Islamabad, Punjab
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a new weather alert for Islamabad and several districts of Punjab, warning of heavy rainfall within the next 12 to 24 hours.
According to the advisory, strong showers are likely in northern and central Punjab, including Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Lahore, Faisalabad and Chiniot. Rain has also been forecast for Sargodha and its adjoining areas, as well as the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, along with Jhelum, Chakwal and Attock.
In southern Punjab, districts expected to be affected include Multan, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur.
The NDMA has cautioned that further rain may aggravate conditions in already flood-hit areas of Punjab. Residents have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, stay clear of rivers, nullahs and streams, and take precautionary measures during the downpour.
Rescue operations underway to evacuate flood victims in Multan
Authorities in Multan have launched a search and rescue operation to move flood affected families to safer places.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Waseem Hamid Sindhu said teams are working to ensure that people living in dangerous areas were evacuated quickly.
Police and district administration staff carried out inspections of riverine areas as the operation gained pace.
The DC also visited a flood relief camp, where he met displaced families and reviewed the facilities.
Chenab floodwaters enter Multan
Floodwaters from the Chenab River have entered the limits of Multan.
According to officials, a high-level flood is passing through Trimmu Barrage where the Jhelum and Chenab rivers meet.
Meanwhile, floodwaters from the Ravi River have entered Pir Mahal after causing destruction in Kamalia. Authorities have confirmed that this part of the river is facing an “extremely high” flood level.
At Head Sadhnai on the Ravi River, water flow has reached around 119,000 cusecs, creating further risk for low-lying areas.
High flood threat persists in Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab rivers until September 5
Extremely high flood levels continue in the Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab rivers. Authorities have warned that the threat will remain until September 5.
According to the Flood Forecasting Division, high floods have been recorded at Trimmu on the Chenab, Balloki and Sadhnai on the Ravi, and Head Sulemanki on the Sutlej. The water flow at Sulemanki has surged to 516,000 cusecs and is rising quickly. Officials said ongoing rains in upper catchment areas could further increase river inflows.
Relief Commissioner Punjab confirmed that extremely high flood risk remains in all three rivers and called for strict precautionary measures in vulnerable districts.
