The particularly heavy monsoon rains in late July 2010 has caused rivers to burst their banks in several locations in Pakistan. The SPOT 4 and 5 satellites have been mobilized by Europe’s SAFER service and by the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters. 

Sukkur City, an example

The dykes contain the waters of the Indus River before the narrow passage of the city of Sukkur, the third largest city of Pakistan.

Attock City, another example

The Kabul River, which rises in Afghanistan, flows into the Indus, itself originating in the Himalayas. The Kabul and Indus join north of Attock, a stopover city on the silk route, before surging into a canyon. The rivers swell at the entrance of the canyon and cover a large area.

Attock city stands at the entrance of the canyon. Two road bridges are threatened by the rising water levels, which have already engulfed several buildings. Further south, in the canyon, a railway bridge shakes above the raging waters.

Top image: The Indus river at Sukkur on June 20th and on August 27th 2010 | Copyright: Spot Image

Second image: Sukkur on June 20th and on August 27th 2010 | Copyright: Spot Image

Third image: Confluence of Indus and Kabul rivers on June 18th and on August 2nd 2010 | Copyright: Spot Image 

Fourth image: Attock City on June 18th and on August 2nd 2010 | Copyright: Spot Image

Tip: check the normal status and today’s situation by using the Mouse-over on pictures.