The Meteorological department has forecast scattered thundershowers, with moderate to heavy falls at isolated places in Punjab, NWFP, Kashmir Northeast Balochistan and Sindh Makran coast during next 48 hours. According to meteorological analysis, monsoon weather system present over Gujarat (India) and adjoining areas of Sindh has dissipated. A fresh westerly wave has approached upper parts of the country. Seasonal low lies over Northwest Balochistan.
FLOOD SITUATION: The Flood Warning Centre Lahore has reported that river Kabul at Nowshera is in medium flood. All other major Rivers are flowing below low flood level. It said according to prevailing meteorological conditions and numerical weather prediction, fairly widespread thunderstorm/ rain with moderate to heavy falls at isolated places is expected over the northern parts of the country including PESHAWAR & MARDAN Divisions.
Under this scenario the inundation of low-lying areas (near Kalpani Nullah) is expected in Peshawar & Mardan Divisions during August 31st (evening) to September 2, 2009. It called upon the concerned authorities to take precautionary measures to avoid loss of human life and properties due to inundation/ heavy rain. It also forecast scattered thunderstorm/ rain over the upper and lower catchments of rivers Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi including Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala and Lahore divisions.
A WAPDA report said that due to rains in the upper catchment areas, water inflow in the four rivers has significantly increased during past two days. The inflow at the rim stations on Tuesday rose to nearly 2,90,000 cusecs, a rise of almost 60,000 cusecs precious irrigation water.
The water discharge in river Indus at Tarbela is 1,63,000 cusecs, river Kabul at Nowshera 49,000 cusecs, river Jhelum at Mangla 24,000 cusecs and river Chenab at Marala 51,900 cusecs. Agriculture experts say that these late monsoon rains would greatly help sowing of winter Rabbi crops including wheat over 0.2million acres of land in the rain dependent barrani areas in the Punjab province.
Moreover, these rains have speeded up growth of fodder for the livestock that significantly contributes to the GDP of the country, they added. Quoting estimates of Indus River System Authority, the irrigation experts say that Pakistan was facing upto 30 percent shortage of water for sowing the winter crops.