Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has warned of possible super floods as India releases massive water into the Chenab River. He said the provincial government is ready to handle water flows between 0.8 million and 1.1 million cusecs. Murad assured that all precautionary measures are in place to face this challenge and protect the people and infrastructure of Sindh.
Murad explained that water from Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers converges at Panjnad before joining the Indus at Kot Mithan. He shared current flow rates from Ravi, Sutlej, and Indus rivers mixing with Chenab water. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) forecasts 800,000 to 1.1 million cusecs at Guddu Barrage by September 5. He emphasized that flows above 900,000 cusecs qualify as a super flood.
The Chief Minister said Sindh raised its embankments by around six feet after the devastating 2010 floods. He added that every embankment quarter mile has watch camps with 16 staff members monitoring continuously. Sensitive areas have been fortified with machinery, and special attention is on the KK Bund to protect it. Local authorities and health departments have been placed on high alert.
Murad urged the federal government to develop a comprehensive climate change policy, calling climate change an undeniable threat. He expressed solidarity with Punjab, the worst flood-hit province this year, and promised Sindh’s full support. He noted that the current high flows in Punjab cannot be diverted to Kalabagh, emphasizing the need for coordinated disaster management.
Finally, Murad assigned provincial ministers to monitor the left and right banks of the Indus River. He highlighted Pakistan’s disaster management legacy, from the Federal Flood Commission to modern NDMA and PDMA. The Chief Minister assured the public that Sindh is fully prepared for the coming days and committed to safeguarding lives and property.