PakistanNews.com.pk

ISLAMABAD, Aug 14: At least 1,362 people died and 1,424 were injured, while 4,887 villages have been affected so far in the country’s worst flooding in 80 years. As many as 417,436 houses were either completely destroyed or partially damaged, according to the data released by the Federal Flood Commission on Saturday.

At least 91,210 houses have been destroyed or damaged in Punjab, 122,798 houses in Sindh, 173,293 houses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 19,619 in Balochistan, 1,432 FATA, 2,727 in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and 6,357 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
At least 208 relief camps have also been established in all the flood-hit areas to provide prompt relief to the affectees.
The flood also affected 4,887 villages in various parts including 1,527 in Punjab, 581 in KP, 2,584 in Balochistan and 195 in GB.
Meanwhile, the River Indus is flowing in exceptionally high flood with rising trend at Guddu and falling trend at Sukkur and is in very high flood with falling trend at Taunsa.
The river is in high flood with falling trend in Kalabagh-Chashma reach.
The River Kabul is in high flood with rising trend at Nowshera and in medium flood with falling trend at Warsak. The River Chenab is also experiencing high flood with rising trend at Panjnad.
The River Jhelum is flowing in low flood with falling trend at Mangla and in low flood with rising trend at Rasul. The official data indicates that Tarbela and Mangla Dams are at elevations of 1541.22 feet and 1206.00 feet, respectively, which are 8.78 feet and 4.00 feet below their respective maximum conservation levels of 1550.00 feet and 1210.00 feet.
The concerned quarters have already been advised to take utmost care and vigilance in further filling of both the reservoirs and strictly follow filling criteria and safety guidelines. On Saturday’s combined live storage position of Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma is 11.101 MAF as compared to last year’s 11.251 MAF.
According to Flood Forecasting Division (FFD), Lahore, Seasonal Low lies over northern Balochistan and adjoining areas. Weak southeast monsoon current from Bay of Bengal is penetrating into sub-mountainous areas of Punjab and Kashmir upto 3000 feet. The weather system is being closely monitored by the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
As predicted by the FFD, Lahore, fairly widespread thunderstorm/rain with heavy falls at isolated places is expected over northern Punjab, Khyber er Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir whereas, fairly widespread thunderstorm/rain is expected over the upper catchments of Rivers Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej including Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala and Lahore Divisions during the next 24 hours. Scattered thunderstorm/rain is also expected over upper catchment of the River Indus and southern Punjab including D.G.
Khan and Bahawalpur Divisions, besides isolated thunderstorm/rain over Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan during the same period.
Significant rainfall events reported during the past 24 hours include; Kamra = 81 mm,, Dir = 64 mm, Palku = 50 mm, Ravi Syphon = 47 mm, Risalpur = 38 mm, Lahore (Airport = 30 mm & Misri Shah = 22 mm), Rawalakot = 23 mm, Rashidabad (Kalpani) = 22 mm, Shinkiari & Sialkot (Cant) = 18 mm each Islamabad (Airport) = 16 mm, Tarbela & Jassar = 15 mm each, Noorpurthal & Kaku = 13 each, Saidusharif = 12 mm, Murree & Gupis = 11 mm each, Hattian Bala, Phulra & Skardu = 90 mm each.
Presently, the River Indus is flowing in low flood level at Kotri Barrage. It is likely to attain Exceptionally High Flood Level during the next 24-48 hours. Under this scenario, the inundation and riverine flooding of low lying areas of Districts Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin and adjoining areas along the river is expected. Provincial Irrigation Department, Government of Sindh and District Administrations have been advised to take precautionary measures for safe passage of peak flood flows into Arabian Sea.
River Indus at Guddu is likely to sustain Exceptionally High Flood Level upto 1,000,000 cusecs during the next 3-4 days.
Under this scenario, inundation and riverine flooding in low lying areas of Districts Khairpur, Jacobabad, Ghotki and Sukkur could occur. River Indus at Sukkur is also likely to continue at Exceptionally High flood Level upto 1,000,000 cusecs during the next 4-5 days. Under this scenario, inundation and riverine flooding in low lying areas of District Sukkur, Larkana, Nawabshah, Hyderabad and Nausheroferoze could occur.
River Chenab at Punjnad is likely to attain High Flood Level upto 320,000 cusecs during the next 12-24 hours. Under this scenario, inundation and riverine flooding in low lying areas of Districts Multan, Lodhran, Bahawalpur and Muzaffargarh could occur. All concerned authorities have been advised by Pakistan Meteorological Department to take precautionary measures to avoid loss of human lives and property.
The major reservoirs of Pakistan and those of India constructed over Eastern Rivers i.e. Ravi, Beas & Sutlej are almost full to their maximum conservation level. Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Rivers Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej during the next 3-4 weeks, which may generate flooding situation in these rivers. All concerned organizations have been advised by the PMD to be watchful during the coming 3-4 weeks.

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