NDMA alerts flood, GLOF risk due to rain in northern parts of country

River Indus expected to reach high level flood at Guddu, Sukkur

ISLAMABAD(M.Mudassar.Iqbal)_ The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued an advisory indicating flood and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) risk due to expected rain in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The NDMA advisory underscored that according to the forecast of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, rain was likely to occur in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir during the next 48 to 72 hours.

The flooding conditions were expected in the tributaries of the Kabul River and Hill Torrent of Dera Ghazi Khan Division from July 27 to 30. Due to the confluence of flows at Taunsa, Panjand and Guddu Barrages, the high flood level may be reached on July 30 and the high flood level at Sukkur Barrage on July 31. An increase in the flow of rivers and streams of Gilgit-Baltistan and the occurrence of GLOF in mountain valleys was also expected.

The NDMA issued instructions to the relevant departments indicating that in order to remedy the possible dangers, the public should be notified in advance and safety measures should be publicized and the traffic towards sensitive areas should be systematically monitored. However, the relevant departments should keep machinery ready to deal with emergency situations. The departments concerned should also take measures for relocation of the people living in low-lying areas.

While,

River Indus is expected to reach high level flood at Guddu and Sukkur barrages during next 12 to 24 hours, Flood Forecasting Division said on Sunday. Indus river flowing at medium flood level at Guddu and Sukkur presently. According to the FFD report, the flows in Indus are higher due to rainfall in upper catchment areas of the river.

An upsurge in water level in Indus River has submerged katcha area of Pir Jo Goth and Gambat taluka in Khairpur district. Land link of over 70 settlements in Pir Goth and Gambat has been disrupted. People have stranded in Sadiq Kalhoro, Mullan Ja Pattan, Keti Ghumra and other settlements. In upstream Indus River has been in low flood at Tarbela, Kalabagh and Chashma, while in medium flood at Taunsa Barrage. Kabul River has been in medium flood level at Nowshera.

Jhelum has been in low flood at Mangla, Chenab in low flood at Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad headworks, while Ravi has been in medium flood at Balloki and low flood at Jassar and Sidhnai. Meanwhile, Sutlej River is flowing at medium flood level at Sulemanki headworks, the FFD said.