On Friday, the provincial authority for the management of Punjab disasters (PDMA) issued a high flood warning for the Indus River in Kalabagh and Chashma, after the deadliest day in the Mosson Province in progress a day earlier, which made at least 63 lives in the midst of general urban and river floods.
The flood forecast division has warned that the Industry River is likely to reach high flood levels in Kalabagh and Chashma in the coming 24 hours.
In a letter rendered to the divisional commissioners of Sargodha and Dera Ghazi Khan, the PDMA underlined the need for increased preparation and ordered the district administrations to coordinate closely with the relevant services for a unified and rapid response.
Officials were invited to activate flood surveillance and early alert systems, to ensure that rescue 1122 remains on high alert with pre-positioned research and rescue teams, and to establish emergency and medicine camps in safe places with an adequate arrangement of equipment such as food, electricity, drinking water.
The district emergency operating centers (DEOC) were responsible for operating 24 hours a day, while medical supplies, including essential drugs and treatments for water -borne diseases, should be stored in areas subject to floods.
The relocation of livestock to safer land and the provision of veterinary care has also been highlighted, in parallel with the directives for appropriate data collection and post-invalting analysis.
The warning occurred one day after record precipitation swept parts in the province. In Rawalpindi, the heaviest showers of the season sparked sudden floods of Nullah Leh, which prompted the district administration to declare a public holiday in order to keep residents inside and safe. Several areas of the city remained overwhelmed while the emergency services had trouble facing the flood.
In Chakwal, the authorities reported an unprecedented 430 mm over a period of only 10 hours, causing generalized floods. The situation forced the district administration to declare an emergency and to launch urgent rescue operations while the roads turned into rivers and rural colonies were cut.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan meteorological department has planned a new deterioration in weather conditions, warning of a new thick to very strong precipitation spell through Punjab from July 20 to 25.
According to the lawyer, monsoon currents are currently entering Sindh and the country’s upper parts, and should intensify on central and northern punjab from July 20. A new West wave is likely to enter the higher regions by July 21, which could further improve the activity of precipitation.
Under the influence of this meteorological system, generalized rains and wind forces – accompanied by thick to very heavy falls – are expected through a vast expanse of Punjab, notably Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, SIALKOT, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faithbad, Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar and Mianwali, from the evening of July 20 to July 25.
Southern districts such as Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahimyar Khan, Kot Addu and Layy are also likely to receive rains in the nights of July 18 and 19, with another wet program expected between July 21 and 23.
The opinion echoes a previous warning issued by the President of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the lieutenant-general Inam Haider Malik, who said that at least four to five additional spells were expected in the coming weeks.
During a briefing to the Prime Minister of the National Ergency Operation Center (NEOC) in Islamabad, he said that the intensity of the monsoon of this year is 60 to 70% higher than last year, regional precipitation is already on average 65% above normal.
He noted that even if the monsoon season generally includes eight to nine weather spells, the current cycle has already known two to three others. The third spell, which started on June 26, is now approaching its end.
