NDMA issues alert for flash floods in hill torrents of Balochistan, DG Khan

• NDMA says Zhob, Kalat, Nasirabad, Sibbi may face flash floods.
• Warns of hill torrents flooding for in DG Khan, Rajanpur .
• Says Nowshera at risk of medium to high floods. 
  

The country’s top disaster control authority warned on Sunday that the latest hydrometeorological conditions suggest Balochistan and southern Punjab could face high to very high levels of flash flooding in the days to come.

The alert was issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)’s National Emergencies Operation Center.

The warning follows recent floods in Balochistan that have killed at least 12 people and left 32 injured, as torrential monsoon downpours continue to lash the province.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that the flooding damaged 263 houses, 91 of which were destroyed, and cut off several areas after heavy rains inundated major roads.

The alert indicates that the hill torrents and local nullahs in the Zhob, Kalat, Nasirabad, and Sibbi divisions are expected to experience high to very high levels of flash flooding, potentially damaging infrastructure. A similar forecast was issued for the hill torrents and local nullahs in DG Khan and Rajanpur.

The authority also warned that villages and towns near nullahs, especially those along floodplains, could be affected by increased flows. On the northern side, Nowshera is expected to face medium to high floods due to significant rainfall in the catchment areas of the Kabul River and its tributaries.

“Medium to high flows in Nowshera may inundate low-lying areas and may cause damage to the infrastructure. The glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF) event in Chitral will also increase flows in the Panjkora River and ultimately in the Kabul River,” it said.

The NDMA has instructed all relevant departments to take necessary precautions to mitigate the possible effects of flooding and extreme weather.

In the meantime, the disaster oversight authority also advised populations at risk to avoid flood waters, evacuate to a safe location away from flood-prone areas and use alternative routes to avoid areas prone to flooding.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) earlier this week said that the current monsoon system will remain in Balochistan till August 6.

The Met office said the weather system will cause heavy rains with strong winds in Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Panjgur, Barkhan, Musa Khail, Harnai, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Dera Bugti, Quetta, Ziarat, Killa Abdullah, Killa Saifullah and Kalat.

Torrential downpours are expected to cause landslides and flooding in various areas, the PMD added.

Hence, the province's PDMA issued directions to relevant departments and warned the masses against unnecessary travel and from going near rivers.

Furthermore, the provincial irrigation department is also on alert and has barred its officials and personnel from leaving their duty stations without permission.

Meanwhile, officers and workers who are on leave have been directed by Secretary Irrigation Department Abdul Majid to report back to their duties.