ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of a severe flooding situation in Sindh in the coming days as Punjab battles with high floods in decades, affecting more than a million people.
The disaster management body said that an “exceptionally high flood” situation is developing in the Indus River, alerting that flows could reach up to 1.2 million cusecs.
In a recent alert, NDMA said flows ranging from 900,000 to 950,000 cusecs are expected to pass through Panjnad Headworks, where the eastern river meets the Indus, between September 3 and 4. In case of embankment breaches or diversions, flows may remain between 825,000 and 900,000 cusecs.
As the water will travel downstream towards Sindh, the authority forecasted between the water flow of 800,000 and 1.1 million cusecs in the Indus River at Guddu Barrage from September 5 to 6.
While Sukkur Barrage is projected to receive extremely high inflows between September 6 and 7, with discharge forecasts ranging from 850,000 to 1.1 million cusecs.
Further downstream, Kotri Barrage may see water flows of 800,000 to 1 million cusecs from September 8 to 9.
“This elevated flow is likely to persist well into mid-September, sustaining high water levels until approximately September 12th – 13th. This prolongation could strain flood defenses and increase risks to settlements along the lower Sindh plains and deltaic regions,” the NDMA statement stated.
Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro on Thursday said that the possible impact of a major water surge is expected to affect hundreds of thousands living in riverbed areas, while residents of mainland regions are likely to remain safe.
Shoro, speaking at a press conference in Sukkur alongside provincial minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, confirmed that the irrigation department and district administrations have been placed on high alert.
