Sindh is on high alert due to increased water inflow at Panjnad Headworks, raising concerns of major flooding, according to Zubair Channa, Focal Person for the Sindh Rain and Flood Emergency Monitoring Cell. On the Sindh Chief Minister’s orders, a 24/7 flood relief control room has been activated at the Sindh Secretariat. Citizens can contact 021-99222967 and 021-99222758 to express concerns and receive updates. Representatives from various government departments, including Information, Irrigation, Disaster Management, Health, Livestock, and General Administration are present in the control room to address public queries, disseminate flood information, and coordinate relief efforts with field staff.
The provincial administration has completed flood preparations, which include ensuring the integrity of embankments and supplying equipment and essential supplies to 102 vulnerable locations.
Channa expressed concern over the rapid river flow from Taunsa Barrage towards Panjnad, where inflow and outflow of 493,159 cusecs were recorded by 9 am, with the volume rapidly increasing towards Guddu Barrage. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation in several districts of Sukkur, Larkana, Hyderabad, and Shaheed Benazirabad divisions.
515 human relief camps and 300 livestock camps have been prepared between Sukkur and Guddu. The Sindh government has deployed 192 relief boats, and 80 more have been added from other institutions, bringing the total to 272. According to the provincial flood strategy, 40% to 50% of affected individuals will take shelter in camps while the rest will stay with their families.
Medical centers are prepared, with doctors and medicines continuously available. Special protocols are in place for snake and dog bite treatment, and over 70 mobile medical teams have been dispatched to at-risk areas. Local authorities have been directed to provide the best possible medical facilities and assistance to the public. Channa cited Sindh’s successful strategy during the 2010 super flood of over 1.1 million cusecs and also mentioned improvements in embankment construction since then.