Low flood likely in Sutlej River on Aug 16-17

ISLAMABAD: Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala is likely to attain low flood level with flood flows ranging between 50,000 to 70,000 cusecs during August 16-17.

According to daily Federal Flood Commission report presently, all main rivers including Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej are flowing normal.

The actual river flows and reservoir elevations indicates that Tarbela and Mangla dams are at elevations of 1525.05 feet and 1200.40 feet respectively, which are 24.95 feet and 9.60 feet below their respective Maximum Conservation Levels of 1550.00 feet and 1210.00 feet.

The combined live storage position of Tarbela, Chashma and Mangla reservoirs is 9.907 MAF as compared to last year's 11.101 MAF.

According to Flood Forecasting Division (FFD), Lahore, yesterday's trough of Westerly Wave over Kashmir and adjoining areas has moved away eastwards, whereas yesterday's Low pressure area still persists over western Rajasthan (India) and adjoining Southeastern Punjab.

A fresh Monsoon Low lies over Northern Madhya Pradesh (India) and adjoining Southern Uttar Pradesh (India), whereas Seasonal Low lies over Northwestern Balochistan and adjoining areas. A strong moist current from Bay of Bengal is penetrating sub-mountain areas of Punjab and Kashmir upto 5000 feet.

The FFD predicted fairly widespread thunderstorm/rain with falls at isolated places over Kashmir including Gujranwala and Lahore Divisions besides upper catchments of Rivers Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej during the next 24 hours.

Scattered thunderstorm/rain may also occur over Rawalpindi, Sargodha and Bahawalpur Divisions, besides upper catchments of Rivers Indus and Jhelum during the same period.

The current spell of monsoon rains would continue for next 2-3 days in the country and more rains with isolated heavy falls are also expected in lower Sindh (Districts Hyderabad and Mirpur Khas), upper Punjab (Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Lahore Divisions) and Kashmir during the next 24 - 48 hours. Significant rainfall events as reported during the past 24 hours include Malam Jabba = 41 mm, Thatta = 20 mm, Karachi ( North Karachi = 30 mm, Model Observatory = 26 mm, Landhi = 22 mm, Faisal Base = 19 mm, Airport = 16 mm and Gulshan-e-Hahdid = 15 mm) & Bannu = 11 mm.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011