ISLAMABAD – The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a flood alert for areas along the Indus River downstream of the Kalabagh and Chashma dams, citing unusually heavy monsoon rains and increased water discharge from the reservoirs.
Key Concerns and Forecast:
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Rising Dam Releases: Torrential rains upstream have forced water authorities to increase discharge from both dams, elevating the risk of flooding in downstream regions.
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Vulnerable Areas: Agricultural lands, low-lying settlements, and flood protection structures in Mianwali, Bhakkar, Dera Ismail Khan, and adjacent districts are reportedly at risk.
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Potential Impacts: Authorities warn of riverbank breaches, inundation of crops, and threats to infrastructure like roads and bridges.
Official Actions & Advisories:
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PDMA has urged district administrations to conduct urgent inspections of embankments and strengthen weak points.
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Evacuation plans are being readied for residents in high-risk zones, and relief teams, including boats and medical units, are standing by.
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Citizens have been advised to monitor local alerts and to relocate temporarily if residing in flood-prone areas.
Wider Flood Context:
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This warning adds to the mounting monsoon pressure in Pakistan, with Punjab recently experiencing record flooding and dozens of fatalities. Overflow from dams into the Indus is further exacerbating flood conditions in Sindh and southern districts of Punjab.
What Comes Next:
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Continuous monitoring of upstream rainfall data and dam discharge rates.
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District PDMA teams will remain on high alert, coordinating with frontline authorities to mitigate flood impacts.
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Residents in designated warning areas are urged to stay vigilant and adhere to safety directives until the monsoon recedes and river levels recede.
This alert serves as a critical reminder of the interconnected dangers of monsoon rains and reservoir management on the Indus River system, with downstream communities urged to prepare for possible flooding.
