ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned on Thursday that widespread rains in several districts of the eastern Punjab province, already reeling from catastrophic floods, may cause river levels to rise to dangerous levels again as the nationwide death toll since Jun. 26 surged to 1,006.
The warning from the NDMA comes as the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said that water levels in Punjab’s rivers are returning to “normal,” as floods flow downstream into the southern Sindh province.
Heavy rains and excess water released from Indian dams have caused three major rivers — the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej — in the eastern Punjab province to swell late last month, inundating more than 4,700 villages in the country’s agricultural heartland, destroying crops and homes and forcing millions to flee. Over 110 people were killed while at least 300,000 people across Pakistan remain in tents, according to official figures. Over 2,000 relief camps are reported operational nationwide, with rescue operations continuing in Punjab and Sindh in coordination with the Pakistan Army and Navy.
“The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday warned of widespread rain with thunderstorms across several districts in Punjab over the next two days, increasing the risk of river swelling in vulnerable areas due to rising water levels in upper catchments,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
The NDMA’s National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) predicted heavy rain and thunderstorms in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gujrat, Gujranwala, and Lahore divisions in the next two days. The authority said intermittent showers were also likely in northwestern Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu districts and eastern Sargodha, Faisalabad, and southwestern Zhob divisions.
“Heavy rainfall is expected to trigger a significant surge in hill torrent flows, posing additional risks to low-lying and flood-prone regions,” Radio Pakistan said.
In response, NDMA said it has directed all relevant institutions to take proactive measures to manage potential emergency situations.
“Authorities are closely monitoring developments and implementing timely interventions to mitigate hazards and ensure public safety,” the state-run media said.
The NDMA urged citizens to avoid crossing swollen streams, bridges, and flooded roads. It called upon residents in high-risk areas to stay informed of the latest weather situation through official announcements on television and mobile alerts.
FLOODS IN SINDH
Concerns for riverine floods increased in the downstream southern Sindh province since earlier this month as water levels in Punjab receded and headed toward the southern province.
“The River Indus at Guddu is in medium flood, Sukkur is in high flood and Kotri is in low flood level,” the Pakistan Meteorological Department said in a statement on Thursday, referring to three major barrages in Sindh.
“River Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala is in medium flood whereas at Sulemanki and Islam it is at low flood level,” it continued. “The River Indus at Kotri is likely to remain in medium flood level up to the end of this month.
Pakistan, which contributes only one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, is among the countries most severely affected by climate change.
Catastrophic floods in 2022 killed 1,700 people, affected 33 million and caused over $30 billion in damage.
