������Ƶ

ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said a fresh spell of monsoon rains across the upper catchment of the country’s major rivers was expected next week, warning it could trigger flooding in streams and nullahs as the death toll from flooding and downpours since late August reached 104. 

Floods in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province since late August have wreaked havoc, affecting more than 4.5 million people and inundating over 4,700 settlements, causing damage to livestock and thousands of acres of crops. Heavy monsoon rains and excess water released by Indian dams have caused rivers Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej in Punjab to swell and overflow downstream, raising the risks of catastrophic floods in southern Sindh province.

Nationwide, the death toll from rain-related incidents since Jun. 26 has reached 972, with the highest number of casualties reported from the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, 504.

“Met Office has informed that a fresh westerly wave will cause scattered thunderstorm/rain of moderate intensity over the upper catchments of all major rivers during 16th to 19th September,” the PDMA Punjab said in its weather advisory on Saturday. 
The PDMA Punjab said it has directed commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to remain on alert due to the possibility of flooding in streams and nullahs across the province during the rains.

“Citizens are requested to take precautionary measures during adverse weather conditions,” the statement quoted DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia as saying. “Avoid gathering near rivers and refrain from recreational activities there.”

Meanwhile, the water levels at almost all locations in river Chenab have been recorded as “steady,” while at Sidhnai Headworks in river Ravi it was recorded at a “rising” level of 40,325 cusecs. This indicates the floods have been moving downstream into southern Sindh province. 

Meanwhile the water level at Guddu Barrage, one of the two main barrages that channel waters into southern and central Sindh, was recorded at 561,205 cusecs at a high flood level. 

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned in its latest situation report on Sept. 13 that River Indus at Guddu Barrage is expected to remain at a high flood level for the next 24 hours and attain a “very high flood level” from Sept. 14-15. 

It said the water level at Panjnad Headworks, the confluence of the Sutlej and Chenab rivers, is expected to decline from an exceptionally high flood level to a high flood level in the next 24 hours. 

In its latest report, the PDMA informed that it has set up 372 relief camps and 459 medical camps in flood-affected districtswhile 391 veterinary camps have been established to treat animals. 

The disaster management authority said it has shifted over 2.5 million people and 2.02 million animals to safe places.

IMF ASSESSING FLOOD DAMAGES
Meanwhile, as Pakistan reels from the floods, a top International Monetary Fund (IMF) official in Pakistan said on Saturday his organization is assessing damages caused by the deluges and will use its next review mission to evaluate appropriate policy responses to support affected people and strengthen national resilience.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the people of Pakistan as they endure the devastating floods,” said Mahir Binici, Resident Representative of the IMF in Pakistan. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life.”

“An assessment of the flood damage caused by torrential monsoon rains is still ongoing, as the situation continues to evolve,” he continued.

 “The upcoming EFF review mission provides an opportunity to discuss the appropriate policy response to support flood-affected populations and protect the most vulnerable.”

Binici also noted that both the EFF and the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) provide frameworks crucial for external and financial stability amid these natural calamities.

The RSF, approved in May, offers Pakistan around $1.4 billion to help build economic resilience against climate vulnerabilities and disasters, though its disbursement depends on successful reviews under the EFF.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced immediate relief for households in flood-hit districts, ordering power distribution companies to suspend collection of August electricity bills and adjust any payments already received in the next billing cycle.

ISLAMABAD: All eyes will be on Dubai as an unpredictable Pakistan cricket team takes on arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Stadium today, Sunday, in arguably the most anticipated clash of the Asia Cup tournament so far. 

This is the first cricket match between the Asian giants after the militaries of both countries engaged in a days-long battle in May. Over 70 people were killed on both sides of the border as India and Pakistan attacked each other with drones, fighter jets, missiles and artillery fire before Washington brokered a truce on May 10. 

India will head into the match as favorites, having won the last couple of encounters between the two sides in the shortest format of the game. A new-look Pakistan squad without former skipper Babar Azam and ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan will look to deliver a decisive blow to India in the Asia Cup tournament under new leader Salman Ali Agha. 

Speaking to the reporters on Saturday night, Pakistan’s left-handed opener Saim Ayub said his team was not just looking forward to beating India, but also lifting the Asia Cup. 

“It’s a big game, and fans from both countries care deeply about it,” Ayub said. “But it’s important for us to follow our processes in the same way, and work on improving our execution.”

Pakistan head into the match with some confidence as well, winning the tri-nation series against the UAE and Afghanistan last week. The Green Shirts opened their account in the Asia Cup courtesy of a dominating 93-run victory over minnows Oman on Friday. 

India also enjoyed an impressive start to the tournament, beating the UAE by nine wickets. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s side chased UAE’s paltry 58-run target in just 4.3 overs and with nine wickets to spare earlier this week.

India have a strong bowling attack in the form of Jasprit Bumrah and spinners Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy. Pakistan will look to their pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and spinners Sufyan Moqeem, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz to deliver the goods. 

Agha and Ayub can also function as part-time spinners for Pakistan will Faheem Ashraf can be used as a seamer for the Green Shirts. 

India have a strong batting lineup with the explosive Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson and skipper Yadav in the top order. Pakistan will look for their aggressive batters Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz to strike the ball hard against India’s spin attack to post a formidable score on the board. 

India and Pakistan do not play against each other bilaterally due to political tensions. Both countries only face off at multi-nation tournaments and at neutral venues. 

India resisted calls to boycott the Asia Cup T20 group-stage match between the two countries, who have not played in any bilateral series since the deadly attacks in Mumbai in 2008 that Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants, a charge Islamabad denied. 

The match between the two sides is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. as per Pakistan Standard Time. 

SQUADS:

India (probable): 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Sanju Samson (wk), 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Varun Chakravarthy

Pakistan (probable): 1 Sahibzada Farhan, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Fakhar Zaman, 4 Salman Agha (capt), 5 Hasan Nawaz, 6 Mohammad Haris (wk), 7 Mohammad Nawaz, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 10 Sufiyan Muqeem, 11 Abrar Ahmed