KARACHI : The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday issued the risk of urban flooding in Karachi and other parts of Sindh amid fresh monsoon spell.
According to the Met Office, a low-pressure system originating from India has intensified and transformed into a depression, triggering heavy rainfall in Karachi and other parts of Sindh.
The meteorologists forecast that from September 11, districts including Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, and Matiari are likely to experience strong winds and intermittent heavy showers.
Rainfall is also expected in Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Jamshoro, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Sukkur, Jacobabad, and Ghotki, the PMD added.
The weather experts warned that due to the ongoing rains, low-lying areas in Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, and Hyderabad may face water accumulation. There is also a significant risk of urban flooding in Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Tharparkar, Khairpur, Sukkur, and Larkana.
SINDH PREPARED TO TACKLE 800,000 CUSECS WATER
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that the provincial government is preparing for potential floods with contingency planning based on water flows of up to 800,000 cusecs.
Addressing a press conference at the Flood Monitoring Cell in Karachi on Sunday, Shah said that the ongoing monsoon rains have triggered flood-like conditions in several areas.
“A flood surge of up to 700,000 cusecs is expected at Panjnad, while 217,000 cusecs of water is anticipated to enter the Indus River from Taunsa,” he said.
He added that the peak water level at Guddu Barrage is expected on September 9, and the province is preparing accordingly.
“Many residents of the affected districts have already evacuated, and we are ensuring full relief efforts for flood victims,” he said.
He added that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari are constantly monitoring the flood situation.
Talking about the monsoon, the CM said that heavy rains are forecasted for Karachi and other parts of Sindh.
“Karachi has already received more rainfall than expected this year. We are fully prepared for more rain, and all departments and ministers are active,” Shah assured.
INDIA RELEASES WATER IN SUTLEJ RIVER
India on Sunday informed Pakistan about high-level flooding in the Sutlej River after releasing more water in the river.
India established diplomatic contact with Pakistan, informing it about the situation. The communique warned of high flood at Harike and Ferozepur.
The Ministry of Water Resources, in the meanwhile, issued a warning letter to the relevant authorities, notifying 28 departments about the potential flood situation.
Earlier, the PDMA (Provincial Disaster Management Authority) expressed concern that with a new spell of rain, India could discharge more water in rivers.
A provincial Relief Commissioner’s report mentioned that the flood situation in the rivers of Punjab remains critical and more than 4.2 million people have been affected with 50 deaths.
According to Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed, the severe flooding in rivers has affected more than 4,100 villages across the province, impacting a total of 4.225 million people. Of them, over 2.014 million have been relocated to safer areas.
Meanwhile, the PDMA reported that Mangla Dam is 87% full, and Tarbela Dam is at 100% capacity. In India, Bhakra Dam is 90% full, Pong Dam is 99% full, and Thein Dam is 97% full.
