LAHORE: With torrential rains continue to lash Sindh another peak of high flood in the Indus at Chashma is expected to reach Taunsa on Thursday, possibly inundating districts along the river.

The Flood Forecasting Division said a monsoon low over central Rajasthan (India) that moved westwards over west Rajasthan was pumping out strong moist currents towards south Punjab and Sindh, generating torrential rains there. The rain spell is likely to persist for at least two days.

Also read: High flood at Taunsa barrage alarms authorities

The FFD said a peak of 589,000 cusecs (high flood) crossed the Indus at Chashma. The level at this point started falling in the late afternoon.

The Federal Flood Commission said the same peak, ranging between 540,000 and 580,000 cusecs, would cross Taunsa on Thursday and Friday. An earlier peak of high flood in Indus was already passing through Guddu and Sukkur.

In view of the two peaks, the FFC said low-lying areas along the Indus in Punjab (Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Muzaffar­garh, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan districts), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Dera Ismail Khan district) and Sindh (Ghotki, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Sukkur and Khairpur districts) were likely to be affected.

It advised authorities concerned to take precautionary measures to avoid loss to life and property. Provincial irrigation departments were asked to ensure round-the-clock patrolling of river embankments and arrangements for flood fighting at vulnerable reaches and for safe passage of flood peaks.

According to the Punjab government, the Muzaffargarh DCO shifted 6,000 people from low-lying areas to safe places and set up three relief camps in Kot Addu for 40 families.

The FFD reported medium flood in River Kabul and Nowshera and low flood in River Ravi at Sidhnai. A sharp peak of flood was expected in Jhelum upstream at Mangla in the next 24 hours.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2015

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