Streams & Nullahs of Punjab, KP, Balochistan & Kashmir: Monsoon rains may cause flash flooding, warns PMD

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned monsoon rains may cause flash flooding in the local streams and Nullahs of Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eastern Balochistan and Kashmir during July 21 to July 23. The PMD has advised the people living in low lying areas along the streams and Nullahs to remain vigilant and take pre-cautionary measures.
"Due to unstable weather conditions and more than expected monsoon rains there would be risk of flash flooding in the local streams and nullahs of Punjab, upper KP, eastern Balochistan and Kashmir," the PMD added. Widespread rains are expected in Hazara, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gujranwala, Lahore divisions, and Kashmir during the next twenty four hours. Scattered rains are also expected in Sargodha, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Multan, D G Khan, Zhob, Kalat, Sibi, Naseerabad, Malakand, Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan, Bannu, D I Khan, Bahawalpur, Mirpurkhas, Larkana, Sukkur, Hyderabad divisions, Gilgit-Baltistan and FATA during this period, the Met Office reported.
According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over the hill torrents of D G Khan Division during next 48 hours. Scattered thunderstorms/rain of moderate intensity with isolated heavy fall is expected over the Upper Catchments of all the major rivers along with Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Southeast Sindh and Northeast, the authority said.
Meanwhile, rising water levels in rivers of the country have caused an alarming situation for the authorities as they were forced to open spillways of Tarbela Dam to release extra water. Mangla Dam and Khanpur Dam have also attained full level. Water levels in Rivers Sutlej and Ravi are also rising. Water surface has risen to at least 1,526 ft in Tarbela Dam. Moreover, the inflow is recorded at least 354,000 cusecs while the discharge is 300,300 cusecs.
Canals in Northeast Balochistan are likely to be flooded in light of Pakistan Meteorological Department's (PMD) forecast. Water inflow in Taunsa and Chashma barrages has exceeded 400,000 cusecs. Increase in water levels is likely in the next two days due to heavy monsoon showers.
According to Indus River System Authority (IRSA) authorities, water flow at Taunsa point is at least 401,745 cusecs. At Tarbela, water is flowing inwards at 349,200 cusecs while the discharge is 309,500 cusecs. In River Sindh, water flow at Sukkur is at least 283,212 cusecs whereas discharge is 227,582 cusecs.
According to the NDMA due to flash floods three valleys in Upper Chitral region have been cut off from the rest of the country. The NDMA said that District Chitral was hit by a flash flood on July 16 which led to significant damage to road network, irrigation and water channels.
The incident was responded in a timely fashion by the joint efforts of District and provincial authorities with the support of the Pakistan Army and NDMA. On NDMA's request, the damaged bridge at Broze on N 45 was temporarily restored for light traffic. All available machinery and manpower was also deployed for temporary opening of suspended traffic.
Despite being a public holiday, the NDMA was able to mobilise and assist the PDMA KP by sending food packs of 40 kg each for 500 families. The PDMA has also authorised Deputy Commissioner to utilise the relief fund on immediate basis. Besides ensuring provision of immediate relief to the affected people the Provincial and District Administrations are also taking steps to restore water supply to Chitral Town while temporary arrangements of water supply through water tankers have been made. Irrigation Department has been tasked to immediately start channelization and clearance of debris from Drosh Gol, Kalkatak Gol and Chukidam.
Chief Municipal Officer has been tasked for proper arrangement of drinking water supply from Golen Gol water supply line and start work on Anghar Ghon WSU on emergent basis. The District Administration has started restoration of cut off sites while, revenue department has been deputed to the sites for detailed assessments and verification of damages. Funds have also been provided to restore the private channel of Shishi Drosh Chitral on emergency basis. The PDMA team members have reached Chitral to assist District Administration for detailed damaged assessment and to submit a report to the provincial government for allocation of resources. District Administration Chitral is collecting data for payment of compensation.
The NDMA plans to send two C-130 aircrafts with food packs to Chitral by 22 July 2015. C&W Department & Public Health Engineering departments are being pursued for deployment of heavy machinery for the rehabilitation & restoration of the damaged roads & washed away bridges. The NDMA is constantly monitoring the situation round the clock in co-ordination with the PDMA KP, Pakistan Army and all other relevant stakeholders.