The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of a significant flood threat in the lower reaches of the Indus River during early September.
According to the NDMA spokesperson, floodwaters reaching up to 950,000 cusecs are expected to pass through Panjnad Headworks between 3 and 4 September. In the event of a breach in the embankments causing a diversion of flow, discharge volumes could range between 825,000 and 900,000 cusecs.
At Guddu Barrage, water flow is expected to reach between 800,000 and 1.1 million cusecs between 5 and 6 September. Should water diversion occur due to a dike breach, the volume could reduce slightly, ranging from 750,000 to 900,000 cusecs.
The overall flow across the system may reach 1.2 million cusecs, a level classified as an extremely high flood.
At Sukkur Barrage, flows are anticipated to range from 800,000 to 1.1 million cusecs between 6 and 7 September. Similarly, Kotri Barrage is forecast to receive 800,000 to 1 million cusecs between 8 and 9 September.
The NDMA said that it was expected that the lower Indus basin to face a high to very high flood stage between 12 and 13 September, placing vulnerable downstream areas at severe risk.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has reported light rain in parts of Islamabad and forecast rainfall in isolated areas of Rawalpindi during the night.
According to the PMD, most parts of the country are likely to remain hot and humid. However, isolated showers are expected in parts of north-eastern and upper Punjab, as well as in some areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The PMD expected rain in north-eastern Balochistan, southern Punjab and south-eastern Sindh.
