KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has placed provincial authorities on high alert as very high flood levels are expected to pass through the Guddu and Sukkur barrages on September 4 and 5.
The warning comes after heavy rains in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit Baltistan, coupled with India’s release of water into the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers. The combined flow has created a massive surge in the Indus River, now moving steadily towards Sindh.
According to the Federal Flood Commission’s (FFC) daily report, the Indus was already in high flood at Guddu Barrage and medium flood at Sukkur Barrage, with water levels rising rapidly. Between Monday and Wednesday alone, the discharge downstream Guddu jumped by 169,800 cusecs, while Sukkur recorded an increase of 131,960 cusecs.
Chairing a high level meeting at the CM House, Murad Ali Shah directed full implementation of the Provincial Monsoon Contingency Plan 2025. He urged divisional and deputy commissioners, PDMA, and line departments to safeguard embankments, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure readiness of emergency supplies, including tents, ration bags, boats, medicines, and machinery.
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon highlighted that the province must learn from the devastation Punjab recently suffered. The Chief Minister also assigned ministers and MPAs from riverbank constituencies to personally monitor embankments and high-risk zones.
The health department was instructed to deploy medical teams immediately and start preventive vaccination drives to curb outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
Sindh now braces for the oncoming deluge, with authorities racing against time to strengthen defenses before the Indus floodwaters arrive.
