Chenab Flood Levels Subside as PMD Predicts New Rain Forecast for Upper Punjab</TITLE]

Chenab Flood Levels Subside as PMD Predicts New Rain Forecast for Upper PunjabThe Chenab River’s flood levels have receded from medium to low intensity as of Sunday. Despite this easing, the Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted a new spell of rainfall starting July 29, targeting the upper catchments of major rivers, Islamabad, upper Punjab, and northern regions of the country.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported on Sunday morning that while river levels remain elevated due to ongoing precipitation, water flow across the province has stabilized over the last 24 hours.

Current data shows low-level flooding in the Indus River at the Kalabagh, Chashma, and Taunsa waterworks. As of 6:00 AM, flow rates were recorded at 334,000 cusecs at Kalabagh, 370,000 cusecs at Chashma, and 313,000 cusecs at Taunsa.

Flood conditions in the Chenab River are currently subsiding, with low-level flooding reported at the Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad, and Trimmu barrages. Specific morning flow measurements included 143,000 cusecs at Marala, 138,000 cusecs at Khanki, 135,000 cusecs at Qadirabad, and 184,000 cusecs at Trimmu.

Low-level flooding persists in the Ravi River at the Balloki and Sidhnai headworks, with flows of 81,000 cusecs and 60,000 cusecs respectively; however, flow at Shahdara remains within normal parameters. Water levels in the Sutlej and Jhelum rivers have returned to normal.

The PDMA noted a medium-level flood in Narowal’s Basantar Nullah and a high-level flood in Wazirabad’s Phalko Nullah, where flow reached 5,000 cusecs.

The PDMA Director General has urged residents in floodplains to evacuate to safer locations immediately, assuring the public that the provincial government has mobilized necessary resources. “All essential facilities and medical supplies will be available at flood relief camps,” the DG stated.

Regarding recent precipitation, the PDMA reported heavy rainfall in several areas over the past 24 hours, including 115mm in Noorpur Thal, 107mm in Gujranwala, 94mm in Gujrat, and 68mm in Narowal. Other significant totals include 65mm in Mandi Bahauddin, 52mm at Sialkot Airport, 46mm in Okara, 40mm in Jauharabad, and 38mm in Sargodha.

Additionally, Lahore recorded 37mm of rain, alongside significant rainfall in Mangla (37mm), Jhelum (32mm), and Sheikhupura (28mm). Over the last five days, Lahore has seen a cumulative rainfall total of 450mm. Other regions receiving rain include Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Attock, Murree, and Bahawalpur.

PDMA control rooms and district emergency centers remain on high alert. Authorities have warned of potential flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous regions like Murree. There is also a continued risk of damage to mud-brick structures due to heavy rain. Citizens are advised to call the PDMA helpline at 1129 for emergencies.

Tragically, rain-related incidents in Punjab on Saturday resulted in seven deaths, including two children, and 20 injuries. To date, monsoon-related events have claimed 22 lives and caused 183 injuries across the province, with approximately 400 square kilometers of Punjab currently submerged.

Weather Forecast

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) anticipates new rainfall starting July 29 across upper river catchments, Islamabad, upper Punjab, Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan. However, the PMD noted via X (formerly Twitter) that no flood-generating rainfall is expected until July 28.

In the next 24 hours, scattered rain, wind, and thunderstorms are expected over the upper catchments of major rivers, Islamabad, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is expected to see rain in Abbottabad, Batagram, Buner, Chitral, Haripur, Kohat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Mardan, Nowshera, Shangla, Swabi, Swat, Tor Ghar, and Dir. In Punjab, rainfall is forecasted for numerous districts, including Attock, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan, among others.

In Sindh, rain is forecasted for Badin, Hyderabad, Matiari, Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tharparkar, and Umer Kot. Balochistan is expected to receive rain in Barkhan, Duki, Kalat, Khuzdar, Kohlu, Loralai, and Musakhel.

The PMD noted that the Indus River at Kalabagh, Chashma, Taunsa, and Guddu will likely maintain low-level flood conditions for the next 48 hours. For Karachi, the weather is expected to remain cloudy and humid with occasional light drizzle or thunderstorms.

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