KEY POINTS
- Floodwaters from Punjab may enter upper Sindh between Sept 4–5
- Up to 1.65 million people in Sindh face risk, with over 459,000 directly threatened by rising river flows
- 948 relief camps planned, with Navy deployed and Army on standby as authorities race to mitigate impact
ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Pakistan’s Sindh province are on high alert as massive floodwaters from neighbouring Punjab province move south, threatening vulnerable communities and farmland.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said Sindh is currently experiencing hot and humid conditions, but floodwaters are expected to reach the province between September 4 and 5.
While no widespread rainfall is forecast for Sindh over the next 48 hours, isolated rain-wind/thunderstorms may occur in Sukkur, Ghotki, and Kashmore, areas already on edge due to the anticipated influx of floodwater from the north.
Authorities warn that floodwaters could enter upper Sindh between September 4 and 5, threatening vulnerable communities and farmlands.
Elsewhere in the country, widespread heavy rainfall continues in northeast Punjab and Kashmir, raising concerns of flash floods and landslides. In contrast, Sindh’s dry spell offers little relief, as it may reduce the region’s readiness to absorb the coming deluge.
With thousands of villages already submerged in Punjab and reports of severe agricultural and infrastructure damage, Sindh’s disaster management teams are ramping up surveillance and emergency preparations in flood-prone districts.
Authorities urge residents in low-lying and riverine areas to remain vigilant and heed official advisories as the flood situation unfolds in the coming days.
Sindh braces for ‘super flood’
Sindh is on the edge of a looming disaster as authorities brace for a potential super flood, with river flows possibly rising to 900,000 cusecs or more in the coming days.
Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah has sounded the alarm, warning that the entire katcha (riverine) belt in Sindh may be inundated, threatening lives, livestock, and critical infrastructure.
Speaking during inspections of dykes and barrages in Sukkur and Larkana, the chief minister recalled the 2010 catastrophe, when unexpected flows at Guddu Barrage surged to 1.15 million cusecs, displacing millions and causing losses worth Rs373 billion.
“We are taking no chances this time,” he said, as he directed authorities to remain on high alert.
Millions lives at risk
According to official estimates, 1.65 million people live in the katcha belt, a vulnerable riverine stretch with limited flood protection. Based on projected flood levels:
Around 459,000 people could be affected if flows exceed 900,000 cusecs between Guddu and Sukkur barrages.
Nearly 130,941 people (over 21,800 families) would face displacement if the flow remains between 500,000–700,000 cusecs.
An additional 104,255 residents are at risk if water levels continue to rise.
Emergency measures
The Sindh government has announced plans for 948 relief camps, of which 514 are expected to be activated. Pakistan Navy teams have been deployed to both sides of the river, with the army’s assistance likely to follow if the situation worsens.
CM Shah urged residents of at-risk riverine villages to evacuate voluntarily, emphasizing that lives must take precedence over property. He also appealed to the media to avoid creating panic.
Six vulnerable dykes have been flagged between Guddu and Sukkur, with particular concern for the Qadirpur Shaink bund in Ghotki and the KK bund on the opposite bank.
Though both withstood a 550,000-cusec flow on August 24, engineers are uncertain whether they can endure the anticipated surge.
Over 5,000 irrigation staff have been deployed across both banks, while rehabilitation work at Guddu Barrage, still 72% complete, is being accelerated under orders from the chief minister.
