Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has said that the provincial government is on high alert amid a looming flood threat, with flood monitoring cells already established across vulnerable areas.
Chairing a high-level briefing with the administrations of Sukkur and Larkana, the chief minister said that preparations have been made to manage water flows of up to 800,000 cusecs. “We have a complete flood contingency plan in place, and the entire administration is fully mobilised,” he said.
According to the CM, the flood situation is expected to peak at Guddu Barrage on September 9, and proactive evacuations are already underway. “So far, 324,000 people have been safely evacuated from low-lying and high-risk areas,” he said. He also indicated that further evacuations will be necessary over the next 48 hours, depending on the evolving situation.
In addition to safeguarding human lives, he said that efforts are also being made to ensure the well-being of livestock affected by the evacuations. Relief camps have been established to provide shelter and necessary facilities for both people and animals.
Commenting on the current weather patterns, the CM Murad Ali Shah noted that Karachi is receiving more rainfall than anticipated, prompting further readiness measures in the city and surrounding areas.
The provincial chief also reiterated the government’s commitment to dealing with the crisis, urging citizens in at-risk zones to cooperate with authorities and evacuate promptly when advised.
He also talked about the 2022 floods saying that those monsoon floods were among the most devastating in the country’s history. He said that the destruction at the time prompted significant preventive measures, including the enlargement of the gates at Manchar Lake.
He said that while Punjab has suffered widespread destruction, reports highlight particularly severe damage in around 40 villages of Sehwan. “At this critical time, I urge everyone to avoid controversial discussions. Just as the entire nation stood united when India attacked Pakistan in May, we must come together now,” CM Murad Ali Shah said.
Speaking on the issue of dams, he said that debates over building dams have persisted for 60 years and may continue for another 60, “but this is not the moment for such discussions. Right now, the people of Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are in urgent need of help, and our focus must be on supporting all affected regions without politicising the crisis.”
