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LAHORE: The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Saturday forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan until Aug 4.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), meanwhile, said river flows, dams and barrages across Punjab were being monitored continuously. It warned that low-level flooding was currently being recorded in the Indus River at Kalabagh and Chashma and that the prevailing weather system was likely to persist until Aug 5.
According to the FFD, a well-marked low-pressure system over southeast Rajasthan in India, coupled with strong monsoon currents, is expected to trigger a widespread wet spell over central and eastern Punjab as well as parts of Sindh and Balochistan. The system is likely to produce heavy to very heavy rainfall through Aug 4, significantly increasing water flows in the eastern rivers — Sutlej, Ravi and Beas — and their major tributaries.
The division said water levels in the River Chenab at Head Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad were likely to rise to the low-to-medium flood category during the forecast period. However, exceptionally high inflows could push the river to a high flood level at Head Marala.
