Sindh region of Pakistan announces readiness as National Disaster Management Authority issues a warning about potential floods downstream
=================================================================================
As Pakistan braces for another round of heavy rains, the government and authorities are taking necessary measures to mitigate the impact of potential floods, particularly in the province of Sindh.
In the aftermath of the 2022 floods, the Peoples Housing Project has been instrumental in rebuilding homes for those affected. The provincial government has constructed eco-friendly houses in elevated areas to minimise the risk of future flooding. Moreover, the government has also reconstructed headworks and strengthened embankments, with several projects still ongoing.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has identified several areas as potentially threatened by floods. These include Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas in Sindh, and critical flood-affected areas in the south such as Muzaffargarh and Multan in Punjab. In addition, the NDMA has warned that rising water levels in Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers are carrying exceptionally high flows and are likely to cause downstream flooding in Sindh. People living in several cities in southern Punjab, including Mandi Bahauddin, Jhang, Sargodah, Chiniot, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rajanpur, should also be wary of floods.
The Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, has stated that the government is prepared to face the anticipated flood situation and has activated its emergency response mechanism. The provincial irrigation department is closely monitoring River Indus and its embankments at the Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages. However, the flow of water in Sindh's rivers could potentially exceed 1.2 million cusecs, surpassing the capacity of the Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages. This could force authorities to create breaches in flood protection dikes, which could result in large-scale flooding in Sindh's settled areas.
The Meteorological Department has warned that Sindh is likely to receive heavy downpours on Aug. 30 and 31 in several districts, including Tharparkar, Umerkot, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, and Dadu. Torrential rains and excess water released by India have caused devastating floods in Punjab, resulting in 17 deaths and the submergence of over 1,600 villages.
Climate change is a reality that Pakistan must address, according to climate activist Shahzeb Shah Jillani. He emphasises the need for reinforcing vulnerable dikes and embankments, ensuring functional disposal systems, and preparing health services for disease outbreaks to deal with floods effectively.
The NDMA generates early warnings before any imminent threat, as demonstrated by Dr. Tayyab Shah at the National Emergency Response Center in Islamabad. In June, the NDMA provided an early warning that Pakistan would have a substantial, heavier downpour in the northeastern regions of Pakistan. The flood is moving toward the southern region of Pakistan, as stated by Dr. Tayyab Shah.
People in Ghotki, Kashmore, and Sanghar districts in Sindh should remain vigilant, as warned by Dr. Tayyab Shah. Relief measures taken by the province include officials stocking relief goods such as tents and mosquito nets, and seeking cooperation from the Pakistan Navy for evacuation if necessary.
Sindh has historically been vulnerable to floods, with previous floods in 2011 and 2010 causing significant damage and loss of life. The government's efforts to rebuild homes and infrastructure, coupled with the NDMA's early warnings and emergency response mechanisms, offer hope for a more resilient future against the threat of floods in Sindh.
