LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Punjab, on Monday issued a flood alert due to heavy rains expected to hit the upper areas of Punjab from Sept 3 to 4.

The PDMA warned of a significant risk of flooding in rivers and has alerted relevant district administrations and departments to prepare for potential emergencies.

The PDMA’s alert specifically highlights the possibility of increased water flow at Mangla upstream in the Jhelum River, and a low-level flood warning has also been issued for the Indus River. Additionally, there is a heightened risk of flooding in the areas adjacent to the Ravi and Chenab by Sept 3.

Districts most at risk have been identified, and alerts have been issued to the commissioners of Gujranwala, Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujarat, and Multan divisions. Deputy commissioners in Bhakkar, Khushab, Mianwali, Layyah, Kot Addu, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Jhelum, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, and Khanewal have also been put on high alert.

Most districts to receive more rain

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia emphasised the need for district administrations to remain vigilant, particularly in urban areas where the risk of urban flooding is high due to the anticipated heavy rainfall. He has urged that all basic facilities be made available in flood relief camps as a precautionary measure.

According to the Meteorological Department, rain is expected in most districts of Punjab within the next 24 hours, with the current monsoon spell predicted to continue until Sept 4. Heavy rainfall is forecast for Sept 2-3 in Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali and Chiniot. Additionally, Lahore, Kasur, Narowal, Sahiwal, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Jhang, and Mianwali are likely to experience thunderstorm and rain.

From Sept 3 to 4, intermittent rains are expected in the districts of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Khanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Layyah, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan in south Punjab.

Despite the rainfall, the water flow in all rivers and canals across Punjab is currently at a normal level. The Indus, Chenab, Ravi, Jhelum, and Sutlej rivers are reported to have normal water levels and hill torrents in Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan remain stable. Mangala Dam is at 79 per cent capacity, while Tarbela Dam is at 100pc.

Mr Kathia said that there is no immediate danger of flooding in Punjab’s rivers. However, he cautioned that low to medium-level flood conditions could develop in river valleys and has issued a flash flood warning for the river valleys in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur within the next 16 hours.

He said the relevant authorities in Dera Ghazi Khan have been alerted accordingly.

Mr. Kathia also instructed the irrigation, health, livestock department, Rescue 1122 and other related administrations to complete their advance preparations.

He stressed the importance of ensuring safety measures, timely rescue operations and relocating communities near rivers and mountainous areas to safer locations.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2024