Daily Times

KARACHI: Water flow in river Indus has attained the stage of a low flood at Tarbela, Chashma and Guddu Barrage while that of river Kabul has also entered a similar level in Warsak-Nowshera Reach, according to a report issued by Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), here on Friday.

It has also been noted, however, that the country’s other main rivers– Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej are flowing at a normal rate. As of Friday, the reservoirs of Tarbela and Mangla stood at elevations of 1513.87 feet and 1222.90 feet respectively, which are only 36.13 feet and 19.10 feet below their respective maximum conservation levels of 1550.00 feet and 1242.00 feet. The storage capacity of Tarbela, Chashma and Mangla reservoirs was also found to be 10.429 MAF on Friday, as compared to the last year’s level of 11.292 MAF. According to the Lahore Branch of Flood Forecasting Division, the trough of the westerly wave, which was experienced over the northern parts of Afghanistan on Thursday, had now entered the northern parts of Pakistan.Furthermore, the seasonal low lies over Northern Balochistan at present. The moist currents from the Arabian Sea have also been said to have penetrated up to 3000 feet in the upper parts of the country.

The current weather system is, however, being closely monitored by the Pakistan Meteorological Department. As predicted by the Flood Forecasting Division, Lahore, scattered thunderstorm or rain with isolated heavy falls and windstorm is also expected over the upper catchment areas of all major rivers, including Northern & Northeastern Punjab (Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala & Lahore Divisions), D.G. Khan Division, besides, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Northeastern Balochistan in the next 24 hours.