Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed - PDMA

Raj, and those built since independence, are of vital importance for food and
cash crops, the two main stays of the national economy with quick yielding, least
input-output ratios, and largest single source of informal employment. Twelve link
canals and 45 canals commands also help calm the raging flood waters from
cyclical devastation of large areas. [For more details, Google may be explored].
SECTION-2
THE 2010 MONSOONS
33. The south-west monsoons contribute some 65% of the annual rainfall in
Pakistan; the rest is generated by other systems including north-westerly winds,
in winter. The 2010 monsoon season was, however, unusual in some respects.
In end June, 2010, the PMD’s seasonal forecast predicted ‘slightly above normal’
monsoon (+10%) and weather remained dry till 17 th July. Provinces competed for
extra irrigation releases for the Kharif crops till end of 3 rd week of July; between
18-26 th July, moderate to high but localized rains visited the Indus basin’s
catchments, though southern Pakistan received a few traces of rains, here and
there. By that time, PMD had reviewed its earlier forecast in favour of heavy
rainfall and alerted all concerned. Revised weather ‘Advisories’ were issued by
its FFC Division, to all concerned to prepare for the eventuality. It was stated
before the Punjab Judicial Commission that international forecast s of extremely
high rains was not shared with the stakeholders. Beginning 27 th July, an unusual
convergence of easterly NW system was noted over north western Pakistan
(Khyber Pakhtunkhwa + NW Punjab), with westerly Arabian sub-tropical winds
forming a static jet for almost 48 hours. That triggered an unprecedented
precipitation in upper and lower Swat, especially Saidu Sharif in Malakand and
upper and lower Dir, Besham and Peshawar. By 30th July, the rains had
generated fierce dimensions in the form of raging floods. (Source: Daily Observer
of 14-09-2010 Article by Dr. Mohammad Haneef of PMD, cited in Wapda’s
power-point presentation of 15 February 2011). The precipitation was so
extraordinary that some claimed its frequency of return-period at Peshawar and
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