Because it needs clean water to survive, the new bug is a crucial "index species" that could be used to gauge a river's health, NIBR's Min-Ha said.

Compared to conditions in 2009 (lower image), the Indus was only slightly swollen around the Kotri barrage on August 19, but gauge readings at the barrage showed that water levels were rising fast.

Differential pressure remote water gauge should have pressure supplement function to ensure an actual indication of water line in the bubbles under all kinds of working circumstances.