DADU, May 6: The irrigation authorities on Friday evening released 600 cusecs of water from the Manchhar Lake into the Indus River. The superintending engineer of the Larkana irrigation circle, Mr Ghulam Hyder Qureshi, executive engineer southern division, Mr Ishtiaque Ahmed Memon, and Kotri Barrage SDO Mohammad Anjum supervised the release of water by lifting three gates of the Aral Wah by one foot.

Mr Qureshi told newsmen that on the first day only 600 cusecs of water was released from the lake into the river while 1,000 cusecs would be released daily from Saturday for one month.

He said 50,000 cusecs of water flowed downstream Sukkur on Friday.

He said through equipment it was recorded that 28,000 to 30,000 cusecs water was flowing in the Indus River near Sehwan.

The executive engineer of southern division, Ishtiaque Memon, said at present the water level at the lake was 109.5 RL (reduced level).

He said it would be reduced by four feet to maintain the level at 105RL by releasing water into the river to make it safe for embankments of the lake.

He said water flow in the Nai Gaj was one foot which was normal.

DCO Alamuddin Bullo told Dawn that the Sindh government had directed EDOs health of Dadu, Jamshoro and Hyderabad districts to monitor gastroenteritis cases at their respective hospitals after release of water into the river.

He said if any casualty due to gastroenteritis was repor- ted at any hospital water quantity would be reduced from Manchhar and flow of water in Indus downstream would be raised.

He said a team of irrigation officials was deputed at the main gates of Aral Wah to monitor water quantity of the lake released into the river daily.

He said TMOs of Sann, Sehwan, Manjhand, Jamshoro and Kotri were directed to supply water to the residents after filtration.

RAIN: Different parts of Sehwan Sharif, Bhan Syedabad, Bubak, Manchhar Lake, Shah Hassan, Jhangara, Bajara and Bhit mountain received a heavy rain on Friday.