The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a flood warning on Tuesday for rivers and mountainous areas of Dera Ghazi Khan, anticipating heavy rainfall in the Koh-i-Sulaiman range over the next 24 hours. The PDMA has reported a likelihood of light to heavy rainfall in the Koh-i-Sulaiman mountain range and the Dera Ghazi Khan division, which could potentially lead to flooding.
To manage the situation, the PDMA is closely monitoring water levels. As of now, 39,000 cusecs of water have passed through Khora, 28,000 cusecs through Vohwa, and 24,000 cusecs through Sangar. Additionally, flood currents from the Suri Lund torrent (51,000 cusecs), Vidor (14,000 cusecs), and Sakhi Sarwar river (9,000 cusecs) have been successfully directed into the Indus River through natural watercourses.
Despite the stable water flow in rivers and mountain streams, PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia emphasized the precautionary relocation of residents living along potential flood paths. The PDMA also predicts rain across various districts in Punjab within the next 24 hours, raising concerns about increased river water flow and the possibility of low-level floods.
In the last 24 hours, rainfall measurements recorded significant amounts in several areas, including 68mm in Sialkot, 60mm in Dera Ghazi Khan, 55mm in Gujranwala, 50mm in Narowal, 41mm in Attock, 37mm in Murree, and 23mm in Hafizabad. Other areas, including Gujrat, Jhelum, Mangla, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Kot Addu, Joharabad, and Bahawalpur, also experienced rainfall.
The water level in the Jhelum River is expected to rise by Wednesday, with a low-level flood risk in the Indus River and potential flooding in rivers near the Chenab and Ravi. Mr. Kathia assured that, as of now, water flow in all major rivers and canals of Punjab, including the Indus, Chenab, Ravi, Jhelum, and Sutlej, remains normal.
