Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Another high flood discharge peak is currently being experienced at Taunsa Barrage on the River Indus. The same is now heading towards Guddu and Sukkur Barrages, already experiencing high flood levels.

In the wake of current flood situation, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has already deployed teams in the flood-affected areas of Chitral since 27 July.

In order to monitor the flood situation in the central and southern portions of the country and to effectively coordinate relief efforts jointly with the provincial and military authorities, NDMA’s teams have also been deployed in vulnerable and flood-hit areas of Southern Punjab, Sindh besides in Gilgit-Baltistan for assessment of prevailing emergency situation.

The teams will move along Guddu-Sukkur and Sukkur-Kotri reach of the River Indus to monitor the ongoing relief efforts including coordination with local civil administration and concerned authorities for better and more enhanced response and relief management. These teams will be regularly sharing relevant field data with NDMA Head Office for necessary strategic guidance and additional support, if needed.

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at NDMA is constantly monitoring the situation including the weather updates and river flows in close coordination and on round the clock basis with Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD), Federal Flood Commission (FFC) and Pak Commission for Indus Waters (PCIW). In this regard, NDMA has been regularly issuing advisories to all concerned in collaboration with PMD to take precautionary measures to avoid any loss.

NDMA is also maintaining active liaison with relevant federal and provincial agencies to supplement their efforts for effective flood management. The entire situation including the weather updates and river flows is being closely monitored round the clock. Since the onset of the monsoon season, NDMA in collaboration with relevant PDMAs has been issuing SMS alerts to identified areas in respective provinces on weather outlook and river flow situation received through PMD.

Close coordination is also being kept with PDMAs Punjab, Sindh including Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority. So Far, SMS alerts have been issued to approximately 27 million people in Punjab, Sindh and AJ&K with the assistance of PTA and cellular companies.

Under relief assistance so far, NDMA has transported 15 tonnes of ration, one tonne of mineral water bottles and 100,000 aqua tabs (water purification tablets) through two C-130 aircraft of PAF. Besides that NDMA has transported 2,800 tents to GB and 2,000 tents to AJ& K along with 24 tonnes of ration for Chitral, KP and GB as well as 1,500 tarpaulin shelters and 2,000 blankets to AJ&K for further distribution among affectees as and when needed.