ISLAMABAD, Aug 01 (APP): The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) on Thursday predicted medium to high flood in rivers Jhelum, Kabul, Ravi, Indus and Chenab catchments between Friday to Monday while medium to high flood (flash flooding) is also expected in hill torrents of D G Khan Division (Punjab) and nullahs of Zhob, Sibbi, Nasirabad and Kalat Divisions (Balochistan).
In light of the weather and flood forecast by the FFD, all relevant organizations are advised to strictly remain on alert and vigilant and to take immediate action in response to warnings issued by the authorities to ensure the safety of communities living in low-lying areas.
According to daily Federal Flood Commission Report, currently, the rivers Indus and Kabul are experiencing low flood in Kalabagh-Chashma reach and Warsak-Nowshera reach respectively owing to increased upstream flow due to persistent higher temperatures at Skardu. Other main rivers of Indus River System (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej) are running normal.
The combined live storage of country’s three major reservoirs (Tarbela, Chasma and Mangla) stood at 9.203 million acre feet (MAF).
According to FFD, trough of Westerly Wave that was over Kashmir yesterday has shifted eastwards and now a fresh trough of strong Westerly Wave is present over Northern Iran and adjoining areas. The low pressure area that was over northwest Uttar Pradesh (India) has moved slightly Westwards and s now over East Haryana, while upper air circulation persists over West Bengal.
A well- marked seasonal low is situated over Northeastern Balochistan. Moderate to strong moist currents from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are penetrating into the upper parts of Pakistan upto 5000 feet.
Widespread thunderstorm rain of moderate to heavy intensity with scattered very heavy falls and isolated extremely heavy rainfall is expected over Punjab (Lahore and Gujranwala divisions) including upper catchments of rivers Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab during the next 24 hours. Scattered to widespread thunderstorm rain of moderate to heavy intensity with isolated very heavy falls may occur over Islamabad, Punjab (Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Multan D G Khan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal and Faisalabad Divisions and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during the said period.
