August 27, 2003	Wednesday	Jumadi-us-Sani 28, 1424

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BADIN, Aug 26: Due to high tides, the sea is not accepting water of the catchment area of Badin drainage as the tidal link is in a dilapidated condition and the Cholri weir had collapsed prior to the 1999 cyclone.

Occasionally, the sea intrudes in the tidal link but now there is every likelihood of it damaging the entire drainage system of Badin district.

After the rains on Sunday and Monday, the southern bank of the main Kadhan Pateji Outfall Drain, a component of the Left Bank Outfall Drain, has been washed away from RD-60 to 0, resulting in all the drains, already overflowing, being adversely affected.

The situation could be more disastrous if there is more rainfall in the area as the northern bank of the Kadhan Pateji Outfall Drain is eroding rapidly. If a breach develops in the Kadhan Pateji Outfall Drain, it could flood the entire district headquarter town of Badin within hours.

FAMILIES START SHIFTING: Families residing in the coastline area started shifting from their flooded villages after the rains on Monday to Kadhan and Behdmi where 200 tents have been installed to accommodate them.

Ashfaq Memon, member, District Relief Committee, told this correspondent on Tuesday that at least 3,000 more tents were urgently required to meet the needs.

Soon after the rains on Sunday and Monday, a large number of people without waiting for any help started occupying government buildings and formed self-made camps.

However, the administration has formed only 12 relief camps — three in Kadhan, three in Nindo, two in Badin, two in the Shaheed Fazil Rahu town, one in Behdmi and one at Seerani.

WORST AFFECTED: Meanwhile, Ghumanabad and Khalifo Qasim towns were the worst affected by the rains as stagnant water could be seen standing everywhere.

Dr Maula Bux Bukhari, who has recently assumed the charge of the EDO, health, Badin, told this correspondent that during the last 24 hours, out of 1,015 patients, 40 per cent were infected with waterborne diseases. He said that seven snake-bite victims were provided medical aid.