Catastrophe of Flood 2010 at Taunsa Barrage; Review of Technical Findings of Punjab Judicial Tribunal Report

Abstract

In the year 2010, high intensity and continuous rainfall in the upper catchment of Indus River resulted exceptionally high flood in Punjab at Jinnah, Chashma and Taunsa Barrages. This unprecedented flood passed through Jinnah Barrage with some damages to its Left Guide Bank and with a control breach in its Right Guide Bank; whereas at Chashma barrage the flood passed safely. The flood could not pass Taunsa barrage and its Left Marginal Bund (LMB) collapsed; which resulted in more than 125,000 cusec of roaring flood towards human settlement of District Muzaffar Garh. The Punjab Judicial Tribunal investigated this human tragedy and recommended some serious penalties to those responsible. This research paper critically reviews the Tribunal\textquoteright{}s findings regarding the collapse of LMB of Taunsa Barrage.