DADU, Dec 30: At least 200 villages of Johi, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Kotri, Thana Bula Khan, and Mehar Talukas have been facing a drought-like situation since the last three years due to scarcity of rain.

Almost half the population has abandoned their houses in search of food and water.

According to a survey conducted by this correspondent in the western belt of the district, 50 per cent wells had dried up while the water in 20 per cent of the wells had turned brackish.

The villagers said that hundreds of cattle heads had perished or had been infected with fatal diseases.

Out of 4.5 million acres in the district, 2 million acres are located in the Kachho and Kohistan areas, which remained uncultivated since the last three years due to the shortage of water. Some 162,520 acres were cultivated in 2001-2002 and 156,373 acres in 2002-2003.

During the current year, shortage of irrigation water has badly affected the agricultural system in the district, especially in the western belt where 24,000 families have abandoned their homes.

Usually the villagers fetch water for drinking purposes from a long distance on donkey or camel’s back.

The survey revealed that Chhinni, Bahlil Shah, Nali, Shah Hassan, Pat Suleman No2 and 3, Gaji Shah Badro, Shah Inayat, Chakar Kot, Soree, Dur Mohammad Bozdar, Mureed Dero, Nag Jo Koh, Rajo Dero, K. T. Ismail, Sajawal, Rasool Bux Jamali, and Doltan Leghari villages had been affected the most due to shortage of water.

The Nazim, Union Council Tore, Nazeer Ahmad Leghari, said that due to drought at least 50 per cent population of his union council had migrated to the Indus River belt in search of food and water.