KARACHI (Dunya News) - The residents of low-lying "katcha" areas in northern Sindh have begun evacuating amid forecasts of potential flooding as the water is about to enter the province.
A large number of people from districts including Ghotki, Khairpur, and Kashmore have started relocating from the katcha (riverine) belt.
Many are loading belongings onto boats and moving towards safer, elevated areas.
In Khairpur’s Ripri area, a boat capsized during the evacuation process, but no casualty was reported.
The Sindh Irrigation Department reported the following water flow levels as of today:
Guddu Barrage: Inflow recorded at 322,819 cusecs; outflow at 307,956 cusecs
Sukkur Barrage: Inflow at 303,480 cusecs; outflow at 252,110 cusecs
Kotri Barrage: Inflow at 273,844 cusecs; outflow at 244,739 cusecs
Earlier, Provincial Minister Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar warned that if water levels cross 700,000 cusecs, over 100,000 people in Ghotki could be affected.
Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department noted that water flow at Panjnad in Punjab has exceeded 882,000 cusecs.
Sindh CM orders strict monitoring of barrages, embankments
Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro stated that the extent of flood risk depends on how much water eventually enters the Indus River from Panjnad.
In a high-level aerial survey, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Senior Provincial Minister Sharjeel Memon, Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, and Rear Admiral Faisal reviewed the situation via naval helicopter.
They received a detailed briefing at Guddu Barrage, including flood maps and projections.
Sharjeel Memon estimated that up to 1.6 million people in Sindh could be affected if flooding worsens.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed concerns over the possibility of a "super flood", urging all administrative bodies to complete their preparedness.
He warned that rising waters at Ravi and Trimmu could submerge all katcha areas if the flood reaches critical levels.