PAKISTAN: Flood risk along Kabul river

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

ISLAMABAD, 22 Jun 2005 (IRIN) - Lowland parts of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP) along the river Kabul, running from Afghanistan into Pakistan, are facing the risk of flooding. The water flow in the river has increased significantly after a massive snowmelt, according to a UN interagency coordinator in the NWFP provincial capital, Peshawar.

"Low-lying areas in the districts of Charsadda, Nowshera and Peshawar are at a high risk of flooding. The provincial government has asked the relevant departments to take appropriate measures and remain vigilant as the water flow in the Kabul [river] is on the increase," Dr Quaid Saeed, said.

The increase in snowmelt has been caused by high seasonal temperatures, according to staff at the national meteorological office in the capital, Islamabad.

"The temperature in the river's catchment areas has shot up significantly over the last three days. The high temperatures are likely to continue for the next few days with more snowmelt adding to the river inflow," Anjum Bari, director of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), said.

Mountainous parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan received heavy prolonged snowfall during the winter. This is now melting rapidly causing river water levels in the area to rise.

"Though temperatures remained low during April and May, which reduced any large scale flood risk, now they are high. This may cause flooding in low-lying areas," Bari added.

Meanwhile, the meteorological office on Tuesday announced its forecast for monsoon rains, which is crucial for the agriculturally based economy of Pakistan. Meteorologists are expecting a close to normal rainfall this year during the period July to September.

"Starting in the first week of July, on an all Pakistan basis, the monsoon rainfall is likely to remain 15-20 percent below normal during the month of July but it is expected to be above normal during the months of August and September," according to a PMD press statement.

The high seasonal temperatures are expected to abate in coming days.

"Dust and thunderstorms with light rain will ease the intense heat over next 48 hours. However, at least one other hot spell will strike before the start of the monsoon," Muhammad Hanif at the PMD said.

Though health authorities have not confirmed any casualties, local media have reported over a dozen people killed and many others in hospitals suffering from sunstroke and heat exhaustion.

[ENDS]