Lahore
River Indus has been in high flood at Guddu Barrage. According to flood forecasting department on Tuesday, the inflow of water in Indus has reached to 5,50,000 cusecs at Guddu Barrage and the water level continuously rising at the point. The inflow of water in Indus at Sukkur Barrage has reached 4,40,000 cusecs as the river said to be in medium flood.
Sindh Irrigation Department earlier issued an alert for high flood in River Indus at Guddu and Sukkur barrages. The high flood stream in Indus will pass through Guddu Barrage between September 08 to 09, and at Sukkur Barrage between nine to 10 September, the irrigation department said.
The water in River Indus is expected to rise further to the high flood level at Sukkur Barrage from Wednesday (today). The Indus has been in medium flood at Taunsa Barrage and the inflow of river gauged at 3,78,000 cusecs, according to the irrigation authorities. The inflow of Indus at Tarbela Dam on the receding side with water flow at 1,65,000 cusecs, according to water authorities.
Meanwhile, inflow of Jhelum River at Mangla Dam has dropped to 40,000 cusecs. The worst flood disaster in the history of 80 years of Pakistan occurred in July 2010 following heavy monsoon rains. In Sindh, the Indus River burst its banks near Sukkur on 8 August, submerging several settlements in its path.
According to government data, the super flood in the country in year 2010, directly affected about 20 million people, mostly by destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure, with a death toll of close to 2,000.
Meanwhile Federal Flood Commission (FFC) has said except for River Indus all main rivers (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej) were discharging normal flows. According to daily FFC report on Monday, River Indus is experiencing high flood at Guddu (520,000 cusecs), medium flood at Taunsa (399,000 cusecs) & Sukkur (402,000 cusecs) Barrages.
Tarbela and Mangla Reservoirs have been maintaining their Maximum Conservation Levels (MCLs) of 1550.00 feet and 1242.00 feet since 28th August, 2020 and 1st September, 2020 respectively. Weak Seasonal Low prevails over Northeastern Balochistan while yesterday’s trough of shallow Westerly Wave over Kashmir & adjoining areas has moved Eastwards (away from Pakistan). For the following 24 hours, mainly dry weather has been predicted by FFD, Lahore, over most parts of the country.
However, isolated thunderstorm/rain may occur over Punjab (D.G. Khan Division), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Malakand, Hazara & D.I. Khan Divisions) and Kashmir during the same period. As per the quantitative forecast of FFD, Lahore, River Indus at Guddu may continue flowing in high flood (Range: 540,000 cusecs to 560,000 cusecs) and may attain this Flood Category at Sukkur (Range: 450,000 cusecs to 500,000 cusecs). No prominent rainfall event has been recorded during the past 24 hours.—INP