LAHORE:
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has warned of further rainfall across Punjab in the coming days, compounded by the likelihood of India releasing water into Pakistani rivers, raising concerns of renewed flooding in already hard-hit regions.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that changing weather patterns marked the onset of winter, with light showers expected in several districts of Punjab today.
He added that from October 5, heavier rainfall is likely between Rawalpindi and Lahore, while southern Punjab is also expected to receive showers. Northern areas could record up to 70 millimetres of rain.
He warned that the intensity of the showers would increase on October 6 and 7.
The DG revealed that the recent floods had already affected 27 districts of Punjab. Currently, 20,000 cusecs of water were flowing into Head Marala, while India was expected to release up to 100,000 cusecs in the next 48 hours.
“At present, 23,000 cusecs are passing through Marala. On August 26, nearly 900,000 cusecs had flowed from this point, so the current situation is comparatively manageable,” he explained.
He further stated that although Mangla Dam’s water levels were high, no major flooding was anticipated in Jhelum. However, the Sutlej River could see an inflow of 50,000 cusecs from India, and Ravi might receive 35,000 cusecs from the Thein Dam.
Kathia said surveys were underway in all 27 flood-affected districts with the participation of 11,500 personnel, including army units, district administration and other departments.
A total of 2,213 teams were engaged in the process, which is being monitored through an online dashboard in real time. The surveys are scheduled for completion by October 27 in 69 tehsils.
