ISLAMABAD: A Senate committee has called for the establishment of a centralized flood monitoring system and a long-term flood management strategy following a meeting held to assess the current flood situation in Pakistan. The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources, led by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, gathered to review the preparedness measures and the Federal Flood Commission’s role in handling the situation.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the Federal Flood Commission informed the committee of the prevailing low flood conditions at Tarbela, Chashma, and Nowshera, while higher inflows were noted in the Chenab River. The committee was briefed on the forecasts of high flood levels at various points, including Marala on the Chenab and upstream of Mangla on the Jhelum. Concerns were raised about potential flood releases from Indian dams, emphasizing the need for an enhanced early-warning and monitoring system. Current dam operations in Pakistan were reported to mitigate only a fraction of flood flows.
The committee explored the use of advanced systems and technologies for flood forecasting and endorsed a centralized dashboard to integrate information across federal and provincial departments for improved monitoring and response. A visit to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was planned to assess its flood monitoring and command-and-control capabilities.
Briefings from Punjab and Sindh Irrigation authorities highlighted the monitoring of vulnerable points, with specific instructions for their Secretaries to attend future meetings. Pakistan Railways reported identifying 149 vulnerable points with ongoing protective measures. The absence of the Meteorological Department at the meeting was noted, with its future participation deemed essential.
The committee expressed its concern over the recurring floods and their impact on the nation, stressing the need for a comprehensive management plan. The upcoming meeting will focus on developing a roadmap for flood control, drawing from past experiences and involving relevant federal and provincial departments.