Islamabad / Lahore / Sukkur:
While the country turns out to be devastating floods caused by one of the most intense monsoon seasons of recent memory, meteorological officials have planned a new period of precipitation from September 16 to 18. The new rains are expected to affect Azad Jammu and Kashmir, North and Central of Punjab, and parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Unlike the August torrential showers, the next fate is probably of moderate intensity. The authorities closely monitor the situation and urged local administrations to remain on alert.
Meanwhile, officials warned that districts such as Multan, Muzaffargarh, Liaquatpur and Rahim Yar Khan face an increased risk while India continues to release high water volumes in downstream rivers.
According to Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the protective embankments of Basti Baharan near Multan collapsed, while a deliberate cup was made on the Uch Sharif path to protect the city from floods. This movement, however, has left the surrounding villages – Mouza Jhanbo, Noooraja Bhatta, Kotla, Bahadurpur and Sabra – seriously affected.
In Sher Shah Dyke, the water continues to press against the barrier, although the decision to violate the dam was delayed after the immediate flood threat to Jalalpur Pirwala temporarily calmed down.
The Panjnad head situation remains alarming, with a wave of massive flooding of 607,000 trades that cross. Earlier, almost 70% Alipur was overwhelmed, leaving a generalized devastation.
In Farid Shah near Qabulah, thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed and road bonds cut, forcing residents to evacuate by boat. In the Akbar Shah region of Lodhran, more than 2,000 houses are underwater, with cotton, rice, corn and completely wiped sesame crops.
The Arifwala region is also struggling against the strong floods in the Sutlej river, where displaced families take shelter in makeshift camps, awaiting relief.
Meanwhile, in Tehsil Liaquatpur Narwala (Rahim Yar Khan), river water has entered dry areas for decades, creating chaos and forcing massive evacuations. Local authorities have declared the protection of lives, livestock and property their absolute priority.
In the head Panjnad on the Chenab, the deluge jumped after 668,000 brackets, quickly moving towards Simka Chachran. Despite previous relief signs, the water level increases again.
In addition, the TAUNSA dam on the Industry river records a discharge of approximately 200,000 brackets, while Trimmu dam released 188,000 CUSECs to the Sindh.
In Ganda Singh Wala, the Sutlej river circulates at more than 182,000 brackets, Indian water outings continuing for the third consecutive day, aggravating the crisis more.
The provincial Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported a drop in water flows on Thursday in most rivers due to the reduction in monsoon rains. Precipitation in the upper watersheds have also stopped.
According to the PDMA, the water flow in the Sutlej river in Ganda Singh Wala was 182,000 brackets, while in Sulemanki, it amounted to 124,000 cuses. The Chenab river has recorded flows of 50,000 Cusecases in Marala, 92,000 CUSECs in Khanki Headworks and 94,000 Cusecases in Qadirabad.
The Ravi Ravière flow was 23,000 brackets in Jassar, 31,000 CUSECS in Shahdara, 78,000 Cusecases in Sidhnai Headworks and 63,000 Cusecases in Balloki Headworks. In Trimmu Headworks, the flow was 178,000 brackets, while in Panjnad Headworks, it amounted to 660,000 Cuses.
Compared to the previous days, the flow decreased in Sidhnai and Trimmu Headworks but increased in Panjnad.
The meteorological department has reported a significant increase in water levels in the main tanks of the country.
The Tarbela dam has reached its maximum capacity of 1,550 feet, while the Rawal dam is 1,751.80 feet – almost at its full capacity of 1,752 feet.
The mangla dam is 92% full to 1,234.60 feet and the Simli dam has reached its maximum storage of 2,315.25 feet. In response, the spills of all the main dams were opened to release excess water and protect infrastructure.
Sindh situation
The flood waters that have wreaked havoc in Punjab, have now entered the Industry River, causing a rapid increase in water levels at the Guddu and Sukkur dams.
According to an irrigation official Thursday, in the last 24 hours, the water levels in the two dams have increased thousands of brackets.
According to the latest data, the influx of the GUDDU dam is 502,861 CUSECS, while the output is 407,970 CUSECS.
At the Sukkur dam, the influx is 440,985 Cusecases and the output is 412,735 Cuses. The Kotri dam has an influx of 257,754 brackets and an outing of 254,354 CUSECs.
The increase in water levels in the Industry river has flooded several areas in the Kachha region (river), flood waters entering many villages.
