WEB DESK, August 12(ABC): Floodwaters released by India into the Chenab River reached Khanki Barrage early on Friday, inundating thousands of acres of farmland located along the banks of the river in Wazirabad.
Elsewhere, heavy rains have caused the flows in most major rivers to rise to dangerous levels causing widespread damage.
A water war
Pakistan’s eastern neighbor, which saw heavy rains in recent weeks, has been shedding large water loads into the Chenab River unannounced.
As a result, it has caused high flood with an estimated flow rate of 217,000 cusecs at Marala at its peak. It has now subsided to around 142,000 cusecs.
However, the daily bulletin by the Indus River System Authority – which monitors water flow in all waterways of the country, noted that the mean upstream discharge at Marala in the Chenab was 158,671 cusecs.
The mean downstream discharge was 140,665 cusecs.
A notification has been issued to the relevant flood relief institutions to start a rehabilitation drive in the affected area as soon as possible.
The flood waters are now raging towards the Qadirabad Barrage in Gujranwala, with a mean flow estimated at 196,000 cusecs.
The threat of high flood now also looms over Jhang.
Balochistan flood
Many areas of Balochistan – still reeling from torrential rains, hill torrents and flash floods from last month – could face further flooding with more rains forecasted for the weekend along with major water reservoirs filled to capacity and at risk of overflowing.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Flood forecasting Division for Balochistan has issued an alert warning authorities of possible floods and heavy downpour up to August 13.
The fifth monsoon wave recently intensified into a depression lying 260 kilometer away from Karachi at 2pm according to data shared by the Meteorological department.
In the wake of unusual low pressure hovering near the country, PDMA has issued an alert to the deputy commissioners (DCs) of all districts in Balochistan.
It warned that Loralai, Barkhan, Kohlu, Musakhel, and Shirani districts could face flooding.
PDMA Balochistan has notified officials that monsoon rains will continue till Saturday in the 16 districts of the province, thereby DCs must keep heavy machinery handy for relief efforts.
In a separate statement, the PDMA said that the Miraani Dam in Balochistan currently has water two feet over its capacity.
It warned that other dams in the province are also filling up fast and are nearly filled up to their full storage capacity.
A report shared by PDMA states that the volume of water in Hub Dam is currently at 350 feet while its capacity is only 339 feet.
The Miraani Dam has water up to 246 feet, compared to its capacity of 244 feet.
Moreover, Shadikor Dam is only 2.7 feet away from reaching its full capacity of 54 feet.
The Subakzai Dam has a capacity of 94 feet. Currently, the water level in the dam has reached 41.06 feet, whereas Sowar Dam is now carrying water up to 25 feet, only 10 feet from complete filling up.
The Akara Dam which feeds Gwadar, has been able to store over 37 feet of water during the latest monsoon season. Its capacity is 80 feet.