Sindh govt prepared to handle flows ranging from 0.8m to 1.1m cusecs, says CM Murad Ali Shah

Karachi (Web Desk): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has issued a stark warning about the threat of an unprecedented flood in the province, triggered by India’s release of vast amounts of water into the Chenab River.

He emphasized the urgent need for Pakistan’s federal government to establish a robust and comprehensive climate change strategy, underscoring the country’s vulnerability to recurring natural disasters.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the New Sindh Secretariat alongside Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Murad Ali Shah detailed the current hydrological situation. He noted that four days prior, the Qadirabad Barrage had recorded an inflow of 1.077 million cusecs.

The rivers Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej all meet at Panjnad before their combined waters join the Indus River at Kot Mithan. Presently, the Ravi is contributing around 250,000 cusecs, the Sutlej 350,000 cusecs, and the Indus itself about 200,000 cusecs to this flow, all eventually draining into the Arabian Sea.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) predicts that water flow at the Guddu Barrage will range between 0.8 million to 1.1 million cusecs around September 5, with any volume exceeding 900,000 cusecs classified as a super flood. The Chief Minister reassured that Sindh is fully prepared to confront this potential calamity.

He highlighted that protecting lives, livestock, and critical infrastructure such as barrages remains the administration’s top priority. Since the devastating floods of 2010, embankments have been heightened by about six feet to bolster defenses.

Recalling past flood events, Murad Ali Shah pointed out that during the 2010 super flood, the Guddu Barrage experienced a peak flow of 1.148 million cusecs, whereas in 2014, the Trimmu Barrage safely managed 590,000 cusecs.

On August 24, 550,000 cusecs passed through the Guddu Barrage without incident. The province is now equipped to handle flows of up to 910,000 cusecs.

Monitoring efforts have been intensified, with watch camps stationed every quarter mile along embankments.

Each camp is staffed by 16 personnel who operate around the clock and are trained for immediate response. Critical points along the flood defenses have been reinforced with machinery and other resources, with particular attention paid to protecting the KK Bund.

Provincial officials, including commissioners, deputy commissioners, and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), have been instructed to maintain full readiness. Local communities and livestock owners have been briefed on safety measures, while the Health Department remains on high alert.

Murad Ali Shah, together with the Chief Secretary and provincial ministers, continues to oversee the situation closely.

Addressing the wider challenge posed by climate change, the Sindh CM stressed the undeniable and dangerous consequences of environmental shifts.

Murad Ali Shah said that his current focus lies in ensuring Sindh’s safety over the next two weeks, but he called for a nationwide policy framework to effectively address climate change’s impacts.

He also expressed solidarity with Punjab, currently the most affected region by floods, assuring support and prayers from Sindh’s people.

Clarifying the flooding situation in Punjab, Murad Ali Shah explained that the surging waters stem from the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, and pointed out that this water cannot be redirected to Kalabagh.

He also reflected on Pakistan’s institutional disaster management history, noting that after severe floods in the 1970s, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto established the Federal Flood Commission.

Today, this legacy continues with the National Disaster Management Authority at the federal level and the PDMA at the provincial level, both working efficiently to mitigate disaster impacts.

For field supervision, the Chief Minister designated Minister Muhammad Ali Malkani to oversee the Left Bank of the Indus, while Riaz Shah Shirazi has been assigned to monitor the Right Bank downstream of Kotri.

Murad Ali Shah affirmed that Sindh is well-prepared to handle flows between 0.8 million and 1.1 million cusecs, with all necessary precautions in place to face the unfolding challenge.