KARACHI (Dunya News) – Sindh’s senior minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has warned that as many as 1.6 million people across 1,657 villages could be affected if floodwaters enter the province on 2 or 3 September.
Speaking at a press conference, Memon said the provincial administration had activated its machinery to mitigate the threat, with ministers on the ground and district officials fully engaged. He said 551 relief camps had been established, while 192 rescue boats had been allocated to vulnerable areas.
The warning comes amid devastation in Punjab, where at least 30 people have died and more than 1.5 million have been affected following flooding from the Sutlej, Chenab and Ravi rivers. More than 481,000 residents in Punjab have already been evacuated to safer locations as relief efforts continue.
Barrage discharges
According to Memon, floodwaters could enter Sindh between 2 and 3 September, with water discharges already being recorded at high levels across major barrages. Guddu barrage is currently releasing 351,000 cusecs, Sukkur 289,000 cusecs, and Kotri 251,000 cusecs. He clarified that Guddu has a capacity of 1.2 million cusecs, Sukkur 900,000, and Kotri 600,000, indicating there was no immediate alarm. If no further heavy rains occur, the situation may remain manageable, he said.
The senior minister added that 273,000 families in 167 union councils could be affected if water levels rise further. Around 300 camps have been prepared for livestock, while 15 districts along the Indus River are under close monitoring.
Local evacuations
Jamshoro Deputy Commissioner Ghazanfar Ali Qadri has carried out inspections of low-lying areas in Sehwan, where the Indus is swelling at 250,000 cusecs. Officials reported that two talukas — Sehwan and Manjhand — are already experiencing a flood-like situation, with 28 villages inundated. More areas may be hit in the coming days as water from Punjab moves downstream.
سیہون: ڈپٹی کمشنر جامشورو، غضنفر علی قادری نے سیہون میں کچّے کے متاثرہ علاقوں کا دورہ کیا اور ممکنہ سیلاب کی صورتحال کا تفصیلی جائزہ لیا۔ آبپاشی محکمہ کے مطابق، دریا سندھ کے مقام سیہون میں پانی کی سطح میں مسلسل اضافہ جاری ہے اور اس وقت پانی کی آمد 2 لاکھ 50 ہزار کیوسک ریکارڈ کی… pic.twitter.com/0OkVtC7CYd
— Sindh Information Department (@sindhinfodepart) August 30, 2025The district administration has urged residents to relocate immediately, with more than 30 government schools in Sehwan converted into relief shelters for affected families.
Government measures
Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah also visited the provincial Flood Control Room in Hyderabad, where he was briefed that the flood surge would pass through Guddu barrage on 3 September. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has prepared 9,950 first aid kits and 68 hospital tents, while the health department is distributing medicines, including antidotes for snake bites.
*چیف سیکریٹری سندھ آصف حیدر شاہ کا صوبائی فلڈ کنٹرول روم کا دورہ* کنٹرول روم انچارج کی چیف سیکریٹری سندھ کو سیلابی صورتحال کے متعلق بریفنگ کنٹرول روم میں سندھ حکومت کے ترجمان مصطفی عبداللہ بلوچ، سیکریٹری انوائرمینٹ اور سیکریٹری جنرل ایڈمنٹریشن سمیت متعلقہ محکوں کے نمائندے بھی… pic.twitter.com/R1DaxvjpNr
— Sindh Information Department (@sindhinfodepart) August 30, 2025Sharjeel Memon reiterated that there was no need for extraordinary measures such as requesting army assistance, stressing that the provincial administration was equipped to handle the crisis. He urged people in riverine (katcha) areas to relocate to safer, settled zones when water levels rise.
The minister also underlined the impact of climate change, calling for an end to illegal construction along riverbeds. “You must get used to living with nature,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government has identified 102 “vulnerable points” where heavy machinery has been deployed. To keep the public informed, updates on water inflows, outflows, and evacuation measures will be issued every three hours.