KARACHI: After days of relentless rainfall and urban flooding, the province of Sindh is now bracing for an extremely high flood surge in the Indus River, forecast for September 4 and 5, according to a warning issued by the Meteorological Department on Thursday.
The alert covers downstream districts where rising water levels are threatening communities and infrastructure.
Officials reported that the Indus River at Guddu and Sukkur is expected to reach a very high flood stage within the forecast window. The surge, they explained, is primarily driven by heavy water discharges from Indian dams into the Sutlej River, pushing flows beyond critical danger points.
The department also cautioned that fresh spells of moderate to heavy rainfall are expected over the upper catchments of major rivers from August 29 onward. With Sukkur, Guddu, and Kotri barrages already under low-level flood conditions, a rapid escalation to extremely high flood levels is anticipated, posing a serious threat to vast rural populations along the riverbanks.
The Flood Forecasting Division in Lahore further confirmed that other rivers, including the Chenab and Ravi, are also experiencing dangerously high water levels. Multiple barrages and embankments across Punjab and Sindh have been placed under strict observation to mitigate potential breaches.
In Sindh, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has instructed deputy commissioners and district disaster management committees to remain on round-the-clock alert. Assistant Director Operations Ajay Kumar Sewani issued directives for evacuation plans, resource mobilization, and coordination with NGOs to prevent loss of life and property.
Forecasts show Guddu Barrage receiving inflows of 333,400 cusecs and Sukkur Barrage handling 266,400 cusecs as of 6 a.m. Thursday, with levels expected to rise further. Authorities emphasized that the coming week will be critical for Sindh’s flood defenses.