Senate panel calls for centralized flood monitoring, long term flood management plan

ISLAMABAD, Jul 23 (APP):Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources on Thursday reviewed the prevailing flood situation, preparedness measures and the role of the Federal Flood Commission (FFC).

The FFC briefed the Committee, chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, that low flood conditions were prevailing at Tarbela, Chashma and Nowshera, while higher inflows of around 275,000 cusecs were reported in the Chenab. While high flood levels were anticipated at Marala on the Chenab, upstream of Mangla on the Jhelum and in the Kabul River. The Committee was also briefed on flood forecasts, river lag times and flash-flood incidents in various areas.

The Committee expressed concern over reports regarding Indian dam releases and emphasized the need for effective early-warning and monitoring systems. It was informed that Pakistan’s existing dams could mitigate only around 20 percent of flood flows, while downstream flooding could not be effectively controlled through reservoir operations.

The Committee discussed the use of GLOF systems, weather radars, river-flow models and AI-based tools for flood forecasting. It endorsed the development of a comprehensive, centralized dashboard integrating information from federal and provincial departments for timely monitoring, early warning and coordinated response. The Committee also decided to visit National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in its next meeting to review its flood monitoring and command-and-control system.

Punjab and Sindh Irrigation authorities briefed the Committee on preparedness and the monitoring of vulnerable points. The Chairman Committee directed the Secretaries of Irrigation Departments of Punjab and Sindh to personally attend the next meeting. Pakistan Railways informed the Committee that 149 vulnerable points had been identified, with protective measures and continuous monitoring arrangements in place.

The Chairman Committee expressed concern over the absence of the officials of Meteorological Department and stressed their participation in future deliberations. NDMA also briefed the Committee on evacuation operations in Shakargarh following incidents reported the previous night, resulting in 15 casualties.

The Chairman Committee, Senator Jam Saifullah Khan Dharejo emphasized that recurring floods, water scarcity and the resulting loss of lives, infrastructure and billions of rupees posed a growing national challenge. The Committee called for a comprehensive, long-term flood management plan covering preparedness, early-warning systems, mitigation and structural measures.

The next meeting will review a roadmap for flood control from past experience to future planning, with the Meteorological Department, National Highway Authority and other relevant federal and provincial departments to be invited.

The committee meeting was attended by Senators Khalil Tahir, Poonjo Bheel, Asad Qasim  and Muhammad Aslam Abro among others.