ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a fresh flood advisory as the country prepares for a seventh spell of monsoon rains likely to start from August 13.
In its advisory issued on Monday, the PMD warned that the fresh wave of rainfall could lead to rising water levels in the rivers and nearby streams and tributaries.
It warned that the River Indus at Kalabagh is at a low flood level, whereas all the other major rivers are flowing within their normal flows.
The statement said this fresh rain may have some positive impacts, such as groundwater recharge and increased fertility of agricultural land.
India releases water into Sutlej River
Meanwhile, India has released water into the Sutlej River from Pong Dam built over the River Beas.
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said that the Sutlej river flow at Ganda Singh Wala is expected to increase up to a low flood level during the next 3 days.
“Inundation is expected to increase downstream Ganda Singh Wala; consequently, it may lead to loss of crops, livestock, property, and farm land,” it said.
The PDMA, IRSA, and the irrigation department are monitoring the situation around the clock. Alerts have also been issued to the local government, agriculture, health, forestry, livestock, and transport departments.
Emergency control rooms have been instructed to remain staffed 24 hours a day, and Rescue 1122 disaster response teams are on high alert.
The public has been advised to follow safety instructions, avoid swimming in rivers, canals, streams, and ponds, and cooperate with authorities in case of emergency evacuation. Citizens can report emergencies to the PDMA helpline at 1129.
Seven volunteers die restoring a flood-damaged water channel
At least seven volunteers were killed and three others were injured while restoring a water channel damaged by recent floods in the Danyore area of Gilgit city – the administrative capital of Pakistan’s northern Gilgit Baltistan region – on Sunday.
Extreme weather events such as flash floods, Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) and landslides have ravaged the disaster-prone mountainous region, killing at least 17 people so far.
According to Rescue 1122, the volunteers were working to restore the water channel when a landslide struck.
Punjab on high alert
In Punjab Commissioners, deputy commissioners, and all relevant departments have been instructed to remain on high alert, the advisory read.
Director General of Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Irfan Ali Kathia has urged local authorities to evacuate residents and livestock from areas along riverbanks ahead of the upcoming monsoon spell.
He also reminded the public that swimming in rivers, canals, and other water bodies is strictly prohibited during the emergency period.
The most recent monsoon spell caused widespread devastation across Pakistan, with urban flooding, flash floods, and landslides leading to the deaths of over 300 people.
Many others remain missing, and significant damage to infrastructure has been reported.
In Gilgit-Baltistan—a popular tourist region—flash floods and landslides caused severe destruction. Last month, Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan confirmed that at least 10 people were killed and four others injured due to floods triggered by intense monsoon rains.
In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the region last week to distribute compensation cheques to affected families.
He also ordered the immediate restoration of damaged infrastructure under a Rs4 billion relief package.
In 2022, record-breaking monsoon rains combined with glacial melt submerged nearly a third of Pakistan, killing more than 1,700 people and displacing over 8 million.
In May, at least 32 people were killed in severe storms, including strong hailstorms.
