ISLAMABAD, June 29: The Indus River System Authority (Irsa) on Wednesday put Punjab and Sindh on alert to take precautionary measures against a looming medium-to-high flood along the River Indus owing to filling of Mangla and Tarbela reservoirs.

Irsa sources told Dawn on Wednesday that while the River Kabul was already under high flood situation, other rivers like Indus, Jhelum and Chenab were undergoing low floods at present.

As a result of high flows, substantial water could no more be stored at Tarbela and Mangla dams owing to ‘technical constraints’. Hence, the outflows are being gradually increased from dams with effect from Wednesday to ensure safety to their structures.

These sources said that with increased discharges, flows in the River Indus would range between 300,000 to 500,000 cusec per day for the next 10-15 days. River flow in Indus at 375,000 cusec per day is considered as high flood situation.

All areas on the river bank of Indus, and those near Guddu, Jinnah, Sukkur and Kotri barrages would be kept under strict vigilance to avoid any damage to barrage and canal structures as well, the sources said.

The decision has been conveyed to the Wapda authorities for regulation purposes. The water authority is already in need of better hydrological conditions to fulfil summer power requirements through cheap water resource.

Water level at Mangla has crossed 1,180 feet against its maximum storage limit of 1,212 feet. Water level at Tarbela has crossed 1,500 feet on Wednesday against its maximum limit of 1,550 feet.

In view of dam safety procedures, the whole river flows could not be stored and storage levels are raised very slowly and in a gradual manner. Otherwise, massive storage at once could cause cracks to the dam structure.

The inflows at Tarbela on Wednesday stood at 361,600 cusec and outflow at 175,300 cusec. The outflows have been increased to 250,000 cusec.

The inflows at Mangla stood at 81,719 cusec on Wednesday against an outflow of 30,000 cusec. The releases from Mangla have been increased to 40,000 cusec.

Total inflows at rim station were recorded at 693,583 cusec on Wednesday against outflows of 455,564 cusec. About 152,400 cusec was flowing in river Kabul on Wednesday.

Similarly, inflow at Chashma barrage was recorded at 244,609 cusec on Wednesday against an outflow of 256,748 cusec.