LAHORE, July 16: Torrential rains have been forecast in the upper areas of Punjab, river catchment areas, central Punjab and north-eastern areas of NWFP during the next 24 hours. The information was given during a meeting of the Punjab Flood Relief Committee constituted by Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi held here on Saturday to review the river flow situation and progress on relief operations in the flood-affected areas. Punjab Relief Commissioner, Board of Revenue Senior Member Safdar Javed Syed, presided over the meeting.

The committee was informed that Sindh River had a discharge of 3,72,000 cusec at Tarbela and was rising. The river was in medium flood at Kalabagh with 4,91,000 cusec discharge and was rising. It had a 4,64,000 cusec discharge at Chasham and 3,90,000 cusec at Taunsa, while the water level was increasing at both the places.

The committee was informed that River Jhelum had a 94,500 cusec discharge at Mangla with receding water level. The river was, however, in low flood at Head Rasool with 92,200 cusec discharge.

River Chenab had a normal discharge of 70,000 cusec at Head Marala, 82,050 cusec at Khanki, 66,283 cusec at Qadirabad, 58,400 cusec at Chiniot Bridge, 90,900 cusec at Head Trimmu and 64,600 cusec at Panjnad. Flow of water in Ravi and Satluj rivers was normal.

Representatives of different departments presented the reports pertaining to the relief operations being carried by their personnel in the flood-affected areas. The committee expressed satisfaction over the relief arrangements and distribution of food and medicines in the flood-affected areas.