Major flood to hit Guddu Barrage today:  Evacuation orders issued for Sindh’s riverine areas

A major flood is expected to hit the Guddu Barrage on the Indus River today, prompting emergency alerts and evacuation orders for riverine (katcha) areas in Sindh. Authorities have raised concerns about possible inundation and damage in low-lying regions.

According to irrigation officials, the water flow at Guddu Barrage has surged to 390,000 cusecs, triggering a medium-level flood. Lower-level flooding has also been reported at Sukkur and Kotri barrages further downstream.

Evacuation announcements were made in Sehwan and the surrounding river belt regions as a precautionary measure. Sindh Provincial Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla confirmed that all arrangements to handle the incoming floodwaters have been finalized.

Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah visited Sukkur Barrage yesterday and stated that the situation would become clearer once the floodwater reaches both Panjnad and Guddu barrages.

Irrigation officials reassured the public that no immediate threat exists to the Sukkur Barrage, though work is underway to reinforce weaker sections of the embankments.

Elsewhere in the country, high water pressure continues on the Shershah Flood Embankment in Multan, and Jhang is experiencing high-level flooding in the Chenab River, where flows have reached 488,000 cusecs. Several villages in the area are already submerged.

In Bahawalnagar, at least 143 villages have been affected by floodwaters, forcing the displacement of over 100,000 people.

While water levels at Ganda Singh in the Sutlej River have started to recede slightly, high flood conditions remain. In Kabirwala, floodwaters from the Ravi River breached embankments near Mai Safuran, inundating 40 villages. Over 80,000 people have been left homeless, and significant damage has been reported to crops, homes, and even government buildings.

Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and urge residents in vulnerable areas to evacuate immediately and follow safety advisories issued by local officials.