03 May 2004	Monday	12 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

THATTA, May 2: Channels providing water from the Keenjhar lake toThatta and Mirpur Sakro sub-divisions for irrigationhave been closed to avert a possible water shortage in Karachi.

Source told this correspondent on Sunday that regulators of theP.Q. Fall, K.B. Feeder lower, Ghar Masan, Jam Wah and other water channels were closed to maintain the lake level which had dropped to 43.7 RL.

It is feared that if the lake recedes further to 42 RL, then the supply of water to Karachi which varies from 900 to 1,100 cusecs per day will become impossible. The sources said that the water level in the K.G. canal which supplied water to Karachi parallel to the KDA canal was stable.

However, an acute water shortage is being experienced in Thatta, Makli, Mirpur Sakro, Garho, and Keti Bunder due to the closure of these water channels. The sources said sugarcane crop, vegetable, banana orchard and paddy seedling had been affected in the district.

At present the water level in the Keenjhar lake is nine feet against the maximum 16 feet. The Upper Pinyari canal which supplies water to the Sujawal sub-division directly from the Jamshoro regulator system has also been closed resulting in water crises in the area.

DROWN: Two cousins, Aslam and Ibrahim Kachhi, residents of Agra Taj colony Karachi, drowned in the Sakro branch here on Sunday afternoon. They had come to Thatta with their family for picnic and drowned in the canal at RD-22.

ROBBERS ARRESTED: Four highwaymen were arrested during a raid in coastal town of Ghorabari on Saturday morning. A heavy contingent of police, led by DPO Nadir Khoso, arrested Hussain Shah, Sattar Shah, Noor Noohani and Bakhar Chandio.

Talking to this correspondent, the DPO said that outlaws had been operating in the area for a couple of months. The police impounded a Suzuki car, which was allegedly used during the recent road robbery by the accused, in which Ghulam Rasool Bukero was killed. The DPO also replaced SHO Ghorabari on his failure in controlling the crime and posted SI Sikandar Shah on his place.