Very high flood level expected in Sutlej, Chenab as India releases water

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh on Friday warned of very high flood levels in various major rivers including Sutlej, Chenab and Indus, amid ongoing widespread downpours and India’s releasing water into Pakistani rivers.

In an alert, the PDMA said exceptionally high flood levels will continue in Sutlej rivers at Ganda Singh Wala. While, River Chenab at Panjnand is expected to attain high to very high flood level during next 24 hours.

River Indus at Guddu is also expected to attain high to very high flood level from September 7 to 8, it added.

Pakistan’s flood crisis: nature strikes, humans fail

The PMDA said flash flooding is also expected in the Nullah of DG Khan, Rajanpur, and east Balochistan from September 7 to 9.

Moreover, it said, urban flooding is expected in major cities of Sindh from September 7 to 9.

Meanwhile, the high commission of India to Pakistan has also conveyed that high flood is expected in Sutlej river, after India releases water.

In its rainfall outlook, the PMDA forecast widespread thunderstorm and rain with isolated heavy to very heavy falls is expected over Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad divisions from September 6 to 9.

Heavy rains, urban flood warning for Punjab

Heavy rain, overflowing rivers cause fresh flooding in northern Pakistan, India

Whereas, it said, scattered to widespread rain — with isolated heavy falls — is expected over Multan, DG Khan, and Bahawalpur divisions along with western parts of Sindh.

Scattered thunderstorm and rain with isolated heavy falls is expected over upper catchments of eastern rivers, East Balochistan along with Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, and Sahiwal divisions.

In a separate development, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned of possible urban and flash flooding in parts of Punjab and Islamabad between September 7 and 9 due to anticipated heavy rains.

According to an alert issued by the National Emergencies Operation Centre, torrential rains may trigger flooding in streams and nullahs across Murree, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad and Sargodha.

Low-lying areas of southern Punjab including Bhakkar, Layyah, Mianwali, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan are also at risk of urban flooding, it said, adding that already-affected regions could experience further inundation.

Rescue and emergency services have been placed on alert in line with NDMA directives.