Rising water levels trigger flood warnings at Guddu Barrage

KASHMORE: Water levels at the Guddu Barrage on the Indus river near Kashmore rose sharply, raising fears of flooding in nearby areas.

Officials report that the inflow of water reached 282,850 cusecs.

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Over the past 24 hours, the inflow increased by 22,902 cusecs, leading to a low-level flood at the barrage. Further increases in water levels are expected in the coming day.

The Guddu Barrage, built in 1962, plays an important in controlling water flow for irrigation and flood management. It provides water to nearly 2.9 million acres of farmland across Sindh and parts of Balochistan.

The rising water levels caused concern about flooding in the ‘Kachha’ areas, low-lying villages situated along the riverbanks.

The rise in water levels coincides with Pakistan’s ongoing monsoon season, which has caused major flooding across several provinces.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rains and floods have claimed the lives of over 300 people. Punjab also suffered significant flooding in July, which displaced thousands and caused widespread damage to infrastructure and farmland.

Authorities said they are ‘closely’ monitoring the situation at the Guddu Barrage. They have issued warnings to communities in vulnerable areas and prepared contingency plans which include possible evacuations and relief efforts.

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The National Disaster Management Authority is coordinating with local governments to manage the floods and reduce the impact on affected populations.

Pakistan’s flood control systems, including barrages like Guddu, are under increasing pressure due to the growing intensity and unpredictability of monsoon rains linked to climate change.