High Flood Risk Declared for Lower Indus River Basin

Pakistan-(Special Correspondent/Web desk)The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has sounded the alarm over a significant flood threat in the lower Indus River in early September. Authorities expect heavy flows, with up to 950,000 cusecs likely at Panjnad Headworks on September 3 and 4, and as much as 1.1 million cusecs at Guddu Barrage by September 5 and 6. Officials warn that if embankments or dikes are breached, water may be diverted, still carrying dangerously high volumes across the system. Overall discharge could reach 1.2 million cusecs, a level considered an extremely high flood risk.Pakistan Post 182/7 Against Afghanistan in Tri-Series Opener at Sharjah

At Sukkur Barrage, water flows are expected to range between 800,000 and 1.1 million cusecs from September 6 to 7. Similarly, Kotri Barrage may receive between 800,000 and 1 million cusecs between September 8 and 9. The NDMA has cautioned that the lower Indus basin could face a high to very high flood stage between September 12 and 13, putting vulnerable downstream areas at severe risk.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported light rain in parts of Islamabad and forecast isolated showers in Rawalpindi during the night. The PMD added that most areas of the country are likely to remain hot and humid, though scattered rainfall is also expected in northeastern and upper Punjab, as well as some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.