https://arab.news/zhbu6
- Fresh westerly wave to trigger monsoon rains over upper catchment of major rivers from Sept. 16-19, says Punjab
- River Indus at Sindh’s Guddu Barrage to attain very high flood level from Sept. 14-15, says disaster management authority
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said a fresh spell of monsoon rains across the upper catchment of the country’s major rivers was expected next week, warning it could trigger flooding in streams and nullahs as the death toll from flooding and downpours since late August reached 104.
Floods in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province since late August have wreaked havoc, affecting more than 4.5 million people and inundating over 4,700 settlements, causing damage to livestock and thousands of acres of crops. Heavy monsoon rains and excess water released by Indian dams have caused rivers Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej in Punjab to swell and overflow downstream, raising the risks of catastrophic floods in southern Sindh province.
Nationwide, the death toll from rain-related incidents since Jun. 26 has reached 972, with the highest number of casualties reported from the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, 504.
“Met Office has informed that a fresh westerly wave will cause scattered thunderstorm/rain of moderate intensity over the upper catchments of all major rivers during 16th to 19th September,” the PDMA Punjab said in its weather advisory on Saturday.
The PDMA Punjab said it has directed commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to remain on alert due to the possibility of flooding in streams and nullahs across the province during the rains.
“Citizens are requested to take precautionary measures during adverse weather conditions,” the statement quoted DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia as saying. “Avoid gathering near rivers and refrain from recreational activities there.”
Meanwhile, the water levels at almost all locations in river Chenab have been recorded as “steady,” while at Sidhnai Headworks in river Ravi it was recorded at a “rising” level of 40,325 cusecs. This indicates the floods have been moving downstream into southern Sindh province.
Meanwhile the water level at Guddu Barrage, one of the two main barrages that channel waters into southern and central Sindh, was recorded at 561,205 cusecs at a high flood level.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned in its latest situation report on Sept. 13 that River Indus at Guddu Barrage is expected to remain at a high flood level for the next 24 hours and attain a “very high flood level” from Sept. 14-15.
It said the water level at Panjnad Headworks, the confluence of the Sutlej and Chenab rivers, is expected to decline from an exceptionally high flood level to a high flood level in the next 24 hours.
In its latest report, the PDMA informed that it has set up 372 relief camps and 459 medical camps in flood-affected districtswhile 391 veterinary camps have been established to treat animals.
The disaster management authority said it has shifted over 2.5 million people and 2.02 million animals to safe places.
IMF ASSESSING FLOOD DAMAGES
Meanwhile, as Pakistan reels from the floods, a top International Monetary Fund (IMF) official in Pakistan said on Saturday his organization is assessing damages caused by the deluges and will use its next review mission to evaluate appropriate policy responses to support affected people and strengthen national resilience.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the people of Pakistan as they endure the devastating floods,” said Mahir Binici, Resident Representative of the IMF in Pakistan. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life.”
“An assessment of the flood damage caused by torrential monsoon rains is still ongoing, as the situation continues to evolve,” he continued.
“The upcoming EFF review mission provides an opportunity to discuss the appropriate policy response to support flood-affected populations and protect the most vulnerable.”
Binici also noted that both the EFF and the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) provide frameworks crucial for external and financial stability amid these natural calamities.
The RSF, approved in May, offers Pakistan around $1.4 billion to help build economic resilience against climate vulnerabilities and disasters, though its disbursement depends on successful reviews under the EFF.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced immediate relief for households in flood-hit districts, ordering power distribution companies to suspend collection of August electricity bills and adjust any payments already received in the next billing cycle.