Warnings for Sindh: spectre of floods raised

August 19, 2013

As the Sindh province is braced for the fury of more than 0.6 million cusecs of water tomorrow (Tuesday), super floods in rivers Indus, Chenab and Sutlej are wreaking the south western districts of Bhakkar, Layyah, Muzaffar-garh, Multan, D G Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur and Rahimyar Khan. The Flood Forecasting Division said here on Sunday that 4,68,000 cusecs water is flowing in the mighty Indus at Taunsa barrage, 4,17,000 cusecs at Guddu, 3,62,000 cusecs at Sukkur barrage and 185,200 cusecs at the Kotri barrage, about 100kms upstream the Arabian Sea. Out of this flow, 153,000 cusecs of water is being released in the Indus Delta.
FFD has issued a warning that River Indus at Guddu is likely to attain high flood level ranging between 600,000 and 650,000 cusecs between 20th August 2013 to 21st August 2013. The River Indus at Sukkur is also likely to attain a high flood level ranging between 600,000 and 650,000 cusecs during 21st August -2013 to 22nd August 2013.
The peak of the flood in the River Chenab and its tributaries is now passing through the Trimmu headworks in district Jhang after causing a considerable damage to crops and property and inundating more than 700 villages in central Punjab districts of Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala, and Hafizabad. Punjab irrigation engineers are releasing 79,000 cusecs of water in the Indus River downstream the Punjnad barrage on the Punjab-Sindh border.
While the water levels in central Punjab are receding the low-lying areas of southern Punjab along the rivers have been put on red alert; and the army has been called in and rescue teams have rushed to the affected areas.
RIVERS POSITIONS
River Indus at Taunsa and Guddu, River Ravi at Shahdara and Balloki are in medium flood level.
The River Indus at Chashma and Sukkur, the River Kabul at Nowshera, the River Chenab at Khanki and Qadirabad and the River Sutlej at Sulemanki are in low flood.
ALERT: The River Sutlej at G S Wala is likely to attain a medium flood level during the next 24-hours.
MONSOON & WEATHER FORECAST FOR TODAY
Seasonal low lies over north-east Balochistan and adjoining areas. Another low lies over northeast Punjab and adjoining areas. Weak monsoon currents are still penetrating North-eastern parts of the country.
Fairly widespread thundershowers with isolated heavy falls is expected over Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Peshawar, Kohat, Hazara, Mardan divisions, Islamabad and Kashmir. Scattered thunderstorm /rain may occur over D G Khan, Multan, D I Khan, Bannu, Malakand, divisions and Waziristan. Isolated thunderstorm/rain is likely to occur over Kalat, Sukkur, Larkana, Zhob divisions and Gilgit-Baltistan.
WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR THE NEXT 48 HOURS
Mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most parts of the country. Isolated rain-thunderstorm is expected in north-east Punjab (Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore divisions), Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas.

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Guddu, Sukkur barrages: flood declared

August 16, 2013 YASIR BABBAR

The Sindh Irrigation Department has declared flood in two major barrages - Guddu and Sukkur barrages - as the flow of water is still on the rise. All relevant staff of the department has been told to remain present on the barrages and their linked canals, Business Recorder learnt on Thursday. Sukkur Barrage on Thursday witnessed a flow of 332,000 cusecs of water and Guddu 375,000 cusecs while Kotri Barrage''s water level is still normal. Thousands of families living in Katcha areas have been shifted to safe places.
The water level at Sukkur Barrage upstream was recorded at 332,000 cusecs while downstream at 316,000 cusecs. Upstream flow at Guddu Barrage was recorded as 375,000 cusecs. The water level at Sukkur Barrage upstream on Wednesday was recorded at 330,000 cusecs and downstream at 288,000 cusecs. Upstream flow at Guddu Barrage was recorded at 373,000 cusecs and downstream at 373,000 cusecs.
It could be observed that the water level at both barrages is on rise and will further increase in next few days, which could be dangerous for canals and dykes located in the close areas of Guddu and Sukkur Barrages, sources inside the Irrigation Department told Business Recorder. The water level at Guddu and Sukkur Barrages is persistently surging, as the flood water inundated schools, mosques and thousands of houses in the villages abutting both barrages.
The water pressure has been increasing at Qadirpur loop embankment in Ghotki District, K K and Tori embankments in Kashmore-Kandhkot District, Aqil Agahi and Nusrat loop embankments in Larkana District and Faridabad and Al Raja Gajeer embankments in Khairpur Mir''s District, sources said. Aziz Soomro, an expert of the Irrigation Department told BR that Sukkur and Guddu Barrages are facing low-flood situation while the water level has been increasing. He said when the water level would hit 200,000 to 350,000 cusecs at any barrage, it will be called ''low flood'' and if it crosses 350,000 cusecs and touches some 500,000 cusecs, it will be called ''middle flood''. He added that if the water level would cross 500,000 cusecs at any barrage and touches some 700,000 cusecs, it will be called ''high flood'' and if the water level crosses 700,000 cusecs and touches some 900,000 cusecs, it will be the ''super flood''.

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