LAHORE: Authorities in Punjab were alerted to take precautionary measures regarding flooding before main spillway of Mangla Dam was opened on Wednesday noon.

The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) says at least 100,000 cusecs of water will be released — 70,000 cusecs from the main spillway and 30,000 cusecs from the power house — as water inflow at the reservoir has reached 300,000 cusecs. The situation requires release of water at the earliest to avert flooding in case of sudden discharge of water.

The data released by the Flood Forecasting Division of the Met Office in the afternoon shows high flood in Jhelum upstream. The water inflow was 170,000 cusecs as compared with outflow of 99,215 cusecs. Likewise, flood level in Chenab was low at upstream, with 117,860 cusecs inflow and 97,160 cusecs outflow.

The Met Office forecasts a heavy spell of rains in the catchment areas of Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Kabul in the next 36 hours leading to very high flood at Mangla in Jhelum River, Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad on Chenab and low flood in Ravi and Kabul rivers.

Punjab Irrigation Minister Mohsin Leghari has directed officials of the department to finalise precautionary arrangements in view of the flood forecast and ensure their presence in the field to be able to take timely decision in any eventuality.

A spokesperson for the department claims that relief camps have been set up and machinery has been transported to the areas that may be affected by the likely flood.

Maps of the areas expected to be hit by floods have also been placed with the deputy commissioners offices in the province.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2020