May 24, 2006	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 25, 1427

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PESHAWAR, May 23: The NWFP Hydrology and Irrigation Division has predicted normal water flow in rivers this summer due to less snowfall and rains in mountainous areas of the province. Senior officials in the provincial Irrigation Department have forecast medium-level floods in the River Kabul and River Swat and its main tributaries within the next few days because high altitude areas in the province and the adjoining Northern Areas had received less snow and rains in the winter.

“We expect medium-level floods for a short period in rivers, passing through Peshawar valley, but the overall situation will remain normal,” said Engineer Abdul Wali Yousafzai, liaison officer of the flood warning centre, Peshawar.

He said that snow had started melting in upper parts of the NWFP, which were at an altitude of 12,000 feet, causing medium-level floods in the River Kabul and River Swat at various points.

He said that the temperature in upper parts of the province was 40 degree centigrade, which had enhanced the melting of snow in these areas. The snow at low-altitude areas would melt away within a few days, and then the water level in rivers would come down.

High-altitude areas of the province had received widespread rain and heavy snowfall in 2004-05, resulting in heavy flash floods in the low-lying areas of the province.

He said that the local Met office had already forecast rain for June, while the country had received only 43 per cent rain, which might cause water shortage for irrigation purposes, whereas the underground water table was going down gradually.