HYDERABAD/Karachi/Islamabad – After wreaking havoc in Punjab, water inundated scores of villages in Sindh amid high flood at Guddu Barrage, Sukkur Barrage, and Kotri Barrage. The inflow of water at Guddu has exceeded the 612,000 cusecs mark, while the outflow was recorded at over 582,000 cusecs.
In the last 24 hours, the water level at Guddu rose by over 67,000 cusecs, and it was expected to go up further in the next few hours. On the other hand, the water level at Sukkur Barrage had been recorded at 470,000 cusecs and at 262,000 cusecs at Kotri Barrage.
Crops grown over thousands of acres of land in the katcha area near Kandiaro were destroyed while dozens of villages were submerged after the River Indus burst its banks. People were confined to their homes as road links between villages were severed.
The affected people appealed to the government to send rescue teams to their area. In Ubauro, the administration urged people to evacuate and move to safe places along with their cattle as water from the River Indus spilled over into scores of villages, inundating crops. The high-level flood in Indus River affected the Ghotki bridge work as the river water swept away the make-shift bridge, reports said. The construction work of the bridge has been suspended after breaking of the temporary path. According to reports, the river water rapidly advancing to the Tori Bund. The flood in the Indus River completely submerged the katcha area causing difficulties to people in their movements.
The land link has been disrupted with breaking of the temporary road between Ghotki and Kandhkot districts.
The mobility of people in southern Punjab has been badly affected as road links lie severed. Jalalpur Pirwala Interchange has been closed for traffic due to which those heading to Sukkur and Karachi are confronting difficulties. Several villages in Shujaabad were flooded after the super dyke was washed away, rendering the people homeless.
The National Highway Authority (NHA) on Sunday said that the M5 Motorway had been closed for all types of traffic at Jalalpur Pirwala.
NHA sources said there was a risk of breaching the motorway due to erosion of flood water.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia has also confirmed that the M5 Motorway had been closed for all types of traffic at Jalalpur Pirwala.
He said that PDMA Punjab, NHA and the administration concerned were taking steps to save the motorway, sandbags and stones were being used to save the motorway from major erosion points.
The DG PDMA said that there would be a clear reduction in flood water in Jalalpur Pirwala in the next 24 hours. The water flow in the rivers of Punjab was decreasing rapidly.
He said that the water flow at Panjnad had reduced to 392000 cusecs.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain-wind/thunderstorms in the upper parts of the country during the coming week with occasional gaps, as moist currents from the Arabian Sea and a westerly wave are expected to affect the region from the evening of September 15 to September 19.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain-wind/thunderstorms are likely in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Kohat, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Hangu, Karak and Waziristan from September 16 to 19 with occasional breaks.
Scattered rain and thundershowers are also expected in Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from the night of September 15 to September 19, with isolated heavy falls likely on September 16 and 18.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar are likely to receive rain-wind/thunderstorms during September 16 to 19.
In Punjab and Islamabad, rain-wind/thundershowers are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum between September 16 and 19, while Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Faisalabad are likely to experience rain on September 18 and 19. Isolated heavy rainfall is also expected in some areas.
Meanwhile, mainly dry weather will prevail over most parts of Sindh and Balochistan, with partly cloudy conditions along the coastal belt.
The PMD has cautioned that windstorms, hailstorms and lightning may damage weak structures such as kacha houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels during the forecast period. There is also a possibility of landslides in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir, while heavy rainfall on September 18 and 19 may increase flows in local streams and nullahs in Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Kashmir.
The public, travelers and tourists have been advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary exposure to vulnerable areas, while all concerned authorities have been directed to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to avert any untoward situation.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab on Sunday issued an alert for the 11th spell of monsoon rains, forecasting showers in the upper catchment areas of rivers between September 16 and 19.
PDMA spokesperson warned of possible flooding in streams and nullahs due to heavy rains.
Commissioners and deputy commissioners across Punjab have been directed to remain on alert, following instructions from the Chief Minister.
DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia said all relevant departments, including health, irrigation, communication & works, local government, and livestock have been put on alert.
He urged citizens to take precautionary measures, avoid gatherings and recreation near rivers, and stay indoors during storms.
In case of emergency, people can contact the PDMA helpline 1129.
