Flood warning issued in Punjab

All administrations of Punjab districts have been ordered to remain on alert to deal with any emergent situation during next few days as there is Met Office warning of heavy rains causing flooding in rivers Jhelum and Chenab Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Jawad Akram said.
It may be added that in a special warning, the Met Office said on Monday that thunderstorm and rain with heavy falls at scattered places and very heavy falls at isolated places is expected over the lower catchments (Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Rawalpindi divisions) and upper catchments of rivers Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum from 22nd to 23rd September, 2015.
River Jhelum and Chenab are likely to attain High to Very High Flood level during the period. High Flood situation is also expected in the Nullahs of rivers Ravi and Chenab along with Hill Torrents of DG Khan Division during the same period. Keeping in view the Monsoon dynamics DG PDMA said that due to unexpected seasonal change causing emergent situation at the end of Monsoon the government has cancelled holidays of government departments throughout the province.
Presiding over a high level meeting, Jawad Akram said that the District Co-ordination Officers have been directed to regularly inspect protective bunds and spurs and monitor the water situation. Flood control rooms in all the districts have been activated and linked to master control room set up at PDMA. Instructions have been issued for immediate and speedy arrangements for disposal of water in cities. There is stock of ten thousand tents and 20 thousand food hampers while 5500 tents have already been distributed, DG PMDA concluded.
Meanwhile Irrigation Department spokesman has said in view of present seasonal situation and flood warning, Irrigation Department has deputed senior engineers at barrages and head works for the protection of canal installations who will keep a vigilant eye on the flow of water in water channels.
He said keeping in view the seasonal situation of next few days, all staff in the field has been put on high alert to cope with any possible situation of flood while instructions have been issued for continuous patrolling for the supervision of canals and other water channels. Secretary Irrigation Captain Saif Anjam (R) has started visits to review the steps being taken regarding possible flood. Similarly, all zonal chief engineers have also been directed keep all the staff alert in their respective canal zones.