Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed - PDMA

inadequate for the task in hand. Additionally, vast gaps were noted and observed
in the range of flood volumes predicted by the FFD and actual flows at controlled
irrigation structures due to partial coverage of tributaries of the Indus systems
confirmed by comparison at selected locations as noted earlier in para 21 supra.
The Commission also noted the spatial gaps in the coverage of many minor
rivers and hill torrents that tend to generate flash floods that confirmed its
findings on the substantive issues, for in the 2010 Flood, the inflows downstream
Kashmore did not exceed projected peaks or previously noted HFLs in 1976 at
any barrage. A more elaborate and safe network could have provided a more
comprehensive estimation for all key stations and irrigation structures; the more
so, as any slip in not correctly factoring in flash currents generated by hill torrents
from D.I. Khan, D.G. Khan and Rajanpur, on the right bank of Indus, could lead
to serious miscalculations and indeed the consequences as flagged in simulated
scenario in an earlier section of this Report. Additionally, more coordination was
required to take stock of the waters diverted from means other than the main
barrage to give adequate warning for downstream managements from Tarbela to
Kotri. In retrospect, the PMD’s decision not to share international projections of
severe rains and consequential high floods proved ominous and not well
conceived.
b) SUPARCO is equipped to undertake satellite imagery from the upper
space with a well developed state of the art GIS system but statedly it produces
images in daylight only and during absence of cloud cover. It assisted the
Commission to have a useful overview of the topography of the entire flow of
Indus river; sizes of the Bund breaches at Jinnah, Taunsa, Kot-Mithan, Bhong,
Tori triangle alongside vanishing of old Ghauspur and MS and PB Bunds in
Thatta besides Naseerabad Division in Balochistan. The SUPARCO work
contributed useful inputs towards a credible review of pre and post flood claims
about damages; these were reconfirmed by Commission’s visit to the four
Provinces.
c) Armed Forces responded in aid to civil power, to carry out annual pre-
flood reconnaissance. During 2010 floods, the three armed forces responded to
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