KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that although water level in rivers are gradually receding, the province must remain fully prepared to cope with the potential threat flood as it is estimated that the peak flow entering Guddu might range between 700,000 and 900,000 cusecs.
Chairing a high-level meeting at CM House on Friday to review the situation, preparedness and relief operations across the province, he reiterated that the Sindh government would utilise all available resources to safeguard people’s lives and livelihoods.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Mohammad Ali Malkani, Jam Ikramullah Dharejo and Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman, besides CM’s Principal Secretary Abdul Rahim Shaikh and secretaries of various departments including Livestock, Environment and rehabilitation. PDMA director general Salman Shah and other senior officials were also present while Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Bakhsh Mahar, Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Zakat & Ushr Minister Riaz Shah Shirazi, Irrigation Secretary Zarif Khero, divisional commissioners and DIGs joined the meeting through video link.
The CM cautioned that Guddu Barrage would face the peak flood on Sept 8, preparedness, timely evacuation of people and establishment of relief camps must be ensured.
He was informed that the inflow at Guddu Barrage as on Friday stood at 359,570 cusecs against the outflow of 377,481 cusecs while at Sukkur Barrage the inflow was 331,155 cusecs against outflow of 277,355 cusecs, indicating a rising trend downstream.
The meeting was told that the Met Office had predicted widespread heavy rains across Sindh from Sept 7 to 9 and warned of possible urban flooding and flash floods.
The public and travellers have been advised to stay alert, avoid unnecessary movement and follow official updates, while all concerned departments have been placed on high alert.
Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman and PDMA DG Salman Shah informed the CM that A total of 528 relief camps had been established but not many displaced families had moved into them. So far, 109,320 people have been evacuated from the riverine areas to safe places, according to them.
The meeting was also informed that strengthening of Kashmore-Kandhkot (KK) Bund and Qadirpur Shaink Bund was under way.
Mohammad Ali Malkani and Kazim Jatoi informed the CM that out of a total 49.952 million livestock heads, 652,000 had already been safely evacuated to safe areas. In case of very high flood, about 40pc (or 19.98m) of them could be affected. About 5.125m of the total animals were present in the ‘highly vulnerable’ riverine belt.
They told the meeting that 110 livestock health camps had been set up.
Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2025