Imtiaz Gorar/Sameer Nazir
LARKANA/KARACHI: Experts warned 0.6 m cusec deluge eroding 46 vulnerable River Indus areas diverting like Tori Bank due to illegal occupation of hundred and thousand acres of River Indus Land in Katcha areas by influential MNAs, PMAs and landlords.
Provincial Disaster Management Authority has announced flood warning for six districts including Larkana, Kashmore-Kandhkot, Sukkur-Ghotki, Khairpur and others. The water level upstream at Guddu 353361 cusecs and downstream discharge was 32,6177 yesterday, while upstream at Sukkur Barrage was 269560 cusecs and downstream 214030 cusecs and Kotri Barrage upstream discharge 69563 cusecs as well downstream discharge was 28868.
It is also expected 0.6 million flood water reaches on July 24th and 25th and over all 1300 miles embankment around the River Indus among 46 are sensitive areas under pressure of deluge disclosed by Sindh Government on the occasion.
Whereas, illegal occupation on these hundreds and thousands of acres inside the River Indus Land of Katcha areas from Kashmore to tail-end by a large number of influential MNAs, PMAs and landlords may affect the River Indus and possible diversion once after Tori-Bank incident sources disclosed. There are number of States and K.Ts of different tribes and villages inside the River Indus even in front of Aqil-Agani and Nusrat Loop have been witnessed.
The officials of irrigation and district administration in Larkana, Sukkur and other areas after visits of River Indus both sides have disclosed that Indus River present deluge affected Morialo and Hakralo Band about 200 ft. after eroding the Aqil –Agani and Nusrat Loop Band.
Authorities further told that there are total 46 sensitive embankments are still their among K.K Band, Qadir loop, Old Tori, Ruk Spur, Mohen Jod Daro embankment, SH Band and others need to most attention and proper rehabilitation.
According to the DG-PDMA over 26 million populations in Katcha area of Sindh will be affected after 6 lac deluge in Sindh. PDMA provided 50 boats to Pak Army and 10 boats to Pak Navy for the evacuation of people from Katcha areas.
DG-PDMA told this scribe that 500 tents with 2 boats and 5000 mosquito nets and medicines have been provided to the district administration (DCs) at each district level and the Control room has been established since Wednesday he told.
Minister for Rehabilitation issued directives to PDMA for 6 Riverine Districts among Larkana, Sukkur,Kandh Kot Kashmore and others to establish Tent camps along with evacuation points to pick displaced and stranded people and provide all effected districts with required facilities.
PDMA further told that they have directed the districts to complete all preparations in coordination with health and live stock department to take specials care of people and their live stock
The Deputy Commissioner Larkana Javed Ali Jagirani following the directions visited the protective embankment of River Indus Akil Aghani Loop Bund one of the vulnerable dyke to review the flood fighting arrangements made by Irrigation Department and district administration.
He apprised that 0.4 million flash flood water will pass from the Akil Aghani and Nusrat Loop Bund on 26 July 2015, in this regard a comprehensive flood fighting plan has been devised to deal with upcoming deluge.
He unearthed that prevailing flow of 2 lac 24000 has badly effected the two dykes Hakra Bund and Moria Bund of River Indus, about 200 feet of embankment were eroded by water and posing big threats to rest of dykes however, irrigation staff are carrying out strict monitoring and patrolling of all vulnerable embankments are continued he told.
Talking about the Larkana Khairpur bridge on River Indus, he told that bridge is a major hurdle and causing presser on Akil Aghani and Nusrat Loop Bund, added the bridge was built on 1.2 KM out of 15 KM River Bed.
The Deputy Commissioner Larkana Javed Ali Jagirani issued the warnings and directed the people residing in Katach areas to be evacuated and shifted to safer places, he said that tent city will be set up for displaced people by tomorrow.
He said that Revenue Department and Irrigation Department will establish flood monitoring camps in all sensitive embankments to face any untoward situation.
When contacted the Secretary Irrigation and other officials were not responded, while Chief Engineer Right Bank Sukkur at Larkana Nazir Mahar told that there is no any danger, all protective embankments are intact, Irrigation department is well prepared in this regard.
To a question about the erosion of 200 feet portion of two dykes, he said it was wrong assumption that flood water will further damage it, still 750 feet flood water is away from Hakra and Moria protective embankments he told.
He informed that 445000 cusec flood water will safely pass out from Akil Aghani. The area of protective embankments are 1325 miles in province and Sindh government concerned departments are actively taking measures in expected flood situation in Sindh.
It is also pertinent to be mentioned here that there are 46 sensitive embankments at River Indus and need to be vigilance.
While, about 45 main gates of Sukkur Barrage are jam and pond level due to heavy dust and other neglect of irrigation department, they are waiting for the World Bank loan to maintain it.
Sindh Government has directed the Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Taluka level concerned officials of Irrigation department Sindh to take precautionary measures to face upcoming heavy flood situation.
