Flooding tests Trimmu''s resilience; Panjnad to be next big challenge

Heavy thunderstorm and subsequent flash floods have caused 231 deaths and inundated 1457 villages in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir as well as in Gilgit-Baltistan, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Tuesday. The high levels of flood with a combined thrust of Chenab, Jhelum and Ravi has reached the Trimmu Headwork where the discharge of flood water is being monitored view a view to reducing the impact of floods on population at risk.
Crops on an estimated 0.43 acres of land were destroyed and 581,193 people were affected in Punjab and AJK. According to flood warnings, River Chenab at Punjnad is likely to attain 600,000 cusecs to 700,000 cusecs exceptionally high flood from September 12- 15. Under this condition, districts of Toba Tek Singh, Khanewal, Layyah, Muzaffargarh and Multan are likely to be inundated.
Due to a second wave in River Chenab peak, exceptionally high flood (above 600,000 cusecs) at Trimmu will persist for next 24 to 48 hours with a likely peak discharge of 800,000 cusecs, till September 12. Under this condition, districts of Multan, Muzaffargarh, Khanewal, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh are likely to be inundated. The monsoon weather situation report suggested the concerned authorities to take all necessary measures to avoid any loss of life and property.
The data further reveals that a medium amount of flood water has accumulated in the Qadirabad head-works on River Chenab (807,000 cusecs) whereas the Trimmu Barrage is receiving 645,000 cusecs of water on River Chenab. According to details, the position of the river inflows and outflows at Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma along with the reservoirs levels and the barrages Tuesday is: Indus at Tarbela: Inflows 117,000 cusecs and outflows 76,400 cusecs; Kabul at Nowshera: Inflows 19,500 cusecs and outflows 19,500 cusecs; Jhelum at Mangla: Inflows 80,000 cusecs and outflows 54,900 cusecs; Chenab at Marala: Inflows 85,400 cusecs and outflows 82,400 cusecs. River Ravi at Balloki: Inflow 131,800 cusecs and outflows 110,500.