Sindh Braces for High Flood Risk as CM Reviews Preparedness

Staff Reporter

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a high-level meeting at CM House on Tuesday, reviewed province-wide flood preparedness after fresh warnings from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted exceptionally high flood levels in eastern rivers and the Indus.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon, Makhdoom Mahboobzaman, Sardar Mohammad Bux Mahar, senior officials including SMBR Khalid Hyder Shah, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary Rehabilitation Akhtar Bugti, DG PDMA Salman Shah, and others. Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro and Irrigation Secretary Zareef Khero joined via video link.

PMD’s Flood Forecast According to the Flood Forecasting Division’s Weekly Weather Outlook (28 Aug – 3 Sep 2025):

• River Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala and downstream, and River Ravi at Jassar and downstream will remain at very high to exceptionally high flood levels.
• Nullahs of Ravi and Chenab are expected to remain at high flood levels within the next 24 hours.
• River Chenab at Trimmu may attain exceptionally high flood on August 29 evening, while Chenab at Panjnad may reach very high flood on September 2.
• Crucially, under its influence, the Indus River at Guddu and Sukkur is expected to reach very high flood levels between 4–5 September.

CM Directives

CM Murad Ali Shah directed divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and the PDMA to remain on round-the-clock alert and enforce the Provincial Monsoon Contingency Plan 2025.

“The situation in Punjab is alarming. Sindh must stay fully prepared to protect vulnerable districts, embankments, and communities,” he stressed.

The Irrigation Department confirmed enhanced vigilance along Indus embankments, while PDMA reported stockpiles of tents, ration bags, boats, and medicines at divisional headquarters.

Monitoring AssignmentsTo ensure direct oversight of embankments:

• Right Bank (Guddu–Sukkur): Excise Minister Mukesh Chawla, MPAs Sher Mohammad Mugheri, and Imtiaz Shaikh.
• Left Bank: Mohammad Bux and Jam Ikram.
• District Deputations: Sohail Siyal (Larkana), Fayaz Butt (Dadu), Gianchand (Jamshoro), and Nasir Shah (Sukkur).
• Right Bank from Khairpur to Thatta: Halar Wassan (Khairpur), Hassan Shah and Mumtaz Chadio (Naushehro Feroze), Haji Ali Hassan (Nawabshah), and Makhdoom Fakhar (Matiari).

Emergency Measures

• Health Department instructed to mobilize medical teams and vaccination drives to counter waterborne diseases.
• KMC, local governments, and rescue services tasked with swift evacuations, deployment of heavy machinery, and shelter arrangements.

“The warning of exceptionally high flood levels in the Indus cannot be taken lightly,” Murad Ali Shah said. “Our first priority is saving lives and livelihoods, and we must remain in constant coordination with NDMA and federal agencies.”