Lahore: As the country continues to experience “unusual” monsoon rains, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Tuesday issued a low-level flood alert for the Chenab river, prompting all concerned districts to remain on high alert and take precautionary measures. Told to protect the population of the surrounding district.
Amid rising water levels in the rivers, the authority said that there is a possibility of low-moderate flooding as per the report of the Flood Forecasting Centre.
Quoting the report, the PDMA said that the flow of water in the river was recorded at 15,4890 cusecs which, it warned, could cause flooding in areas of Hafizabad district. It advised that the neighboring districts should also complete their preparations and set up relief camps.
“As per the directives of the Punjab government, protection of life and property of people is the first priority,” the notification said.
On the other hand, the PDMA warned, citing the Met office, that the monsoon winds that will enter the upper and central region of the country from July 27 and spread to other regions on July 31, may result in another week of rain.
During this time, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sahiwal, Okara, Bhakkar, Multan, Khanewal , Pakpattan, Vehari, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan and Khanpur are likely to receive more rain with strong winds and thundershowers.
The authority warned that these winds may produce heavy rains and there is a risk of flooding in low-lying areas of Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Lahore and Gujranwala, besides flooding the hills and rivers of Dera Ghazi Khan from July 27 to July 31.
On the other hand, heavy rains are expected to increase the flow of water in the local and rainwater channels of the Ravi, Jhelum and Chenab rivers.
It also warned of the risk of landslides in Murree, advising tourists to plan their journey keeping the weather conditions in mind.
“An alert has been issued to the district administrations of Punjab to maintain their arrangements and be prepared to deal with the emergency situation,” the notification said.
According to a Wapda spokesperson, the inflow at the Mangla Dam was 35,100 cusec and the outflow was 10,000 cusec. Likewise, the influx of water at Tarbela and Chashma also increased.
A day earlier, WAPDA had asked the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) to remove the sediment in the Chashma reservoir. Gohar Zaman Bhabha, Chief Engineer and Project Director, WAPDA, said: “Arsa has informed that due to filling constraints at Tarbela Dam, high water flow is expected at Chashma Barrage at scheduled time”.
In the mean time, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday that Pakistan Armed force troops are helping the civil organization in rescue and relief exercises within the recent urban flood-affected zones in several parts of the country.
“Pakistan Army Emergency Response groups are consistently active in dewatering and providing essential necessities and therapeutic care to the influenced populace,” said the military’s media wing.
A few locale in south Punjab and a few in central parts of the territory were pounded by rain which come about in casualties.
A breach in a canal overflowed a few towns and farmland in Bahawalnagar while rain over the Koh-e-Suleman mountain range caused harm to 14 towns in Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan.
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