River Indus in medium flood at Taunsa after heavy monsoon rains

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Monday said that the River Indus was in medium flood at Taunsa and the water level was continuously rising, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

The PDMA spokesman said that the water flow at Taunsa had been recorded at 418,000 cusecs while the river was in low flood at Guddu and Sukkur Barrage.

PDMA Director General (DG) Irfan Ali Kathia said that despite the fact that presently water flow in all rivers of the Punjab, barring Indus, was normal, still the commissioners of Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur divisions had been alerted since water levels in drains, streams and rivers of the province could rise due to torrential monsoon rains.  

He further said that similarly, an alert has also been issued to the deputy commissioners of Kot Addu, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

“Local governments, departments of agriculture, irrigation, health, forest, livestock and transport have also been put on a high alert,” he added. 

Kathia directed that the staff at all emergency control rooms should remain on their toes as well.

He directed Rescue 1122 Disaster Response Teams to also remain ready to respond to any situation. “Petrol and diesel should be in sufficient quantities for the rescue operation.” 

The DG stressed the need for keeping the masses posted about the changing situation with respect to floods. “Ensure the evacuation of people and their cattle from the areas surrounding rivers,” he said, adding, “Also make sure that food items, clean drinking water and other items are provided at flood relief camps.”

Kathia appealed to the people to take precautionary measures and cooperate with the administration in the event of an evacuation in case of an emergency. “In case of an emergency, dial helpline number 1129.” 

Amount of rainfall recorded in Punjab cities

The amount of rainfall recorded in different cities of the Punjab is as follows.

Okara: 72 millimeters, Sahiwal: 66 millimeters, Dera Ghazi Khan: 51 millimeters, Mianwali: 38 millimeters, Bahawalpur: 36 millimeters, Kot Addu: 33 millimeters, Gujranwala: 30 millimeters and Layyah: 23 millimeters.   

Rawalpindi, Attock, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan and Lodhran also received rain. 

Meanwhile, the Met Office on Monday said that the current spell of monsoon showers would continue until July 17. 

It predicted that most of the places in Punjab, Kashmir, KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad and north-east and southern Balochistan would receive rain during the next 24 hours. “There could be heavy rainfall at a few places in Islamabad, KP, Kashmir, Punjab and north-east and southern Balochistan during this period.”