NAWABSHAH, July 21: Despite increased flow in River Indus, several waterways of Sindh are still facing water shortage, leading to protests by farmers in different parts of the province.

Growers took out a rally and held a demonstration in Nawabshah on Monday to protest against acute water shortage in Dholu Minor canal. The rally started from Daur town and terminated at the Nawabshah Press Club. Growers carrying banners and placards raised slogans against the Irrigation Department.

Growers told journalists that the standing sugarcane, cotton and other crops were being dried up due to water shortage for last three months.

They said that they approached the Irrigation Secretary, Superintending Engineer and Executive Engineer but in vain. They demanded of the higher authorities to take notice it and direct the department to provide water to Dholu minor.

Later, coordinator to MNA Faryal Talpur, Ziaul-Hassan Lanjar, accompanied by acting district nazim Abdul Haq Jamali and executive engineer, Nusrat Irrigation Division, Haji Khan Jamali told reporters that the MNA had taken serious notice of water shortage and held meetings with the minister and secretary irrigation to ensure supply to tail-end growers of Dholu, Setharki and other minor canals.

In Dadu district, water shortage had badly affected paddy crop in Sehwan taluka as water was not released from Danistar canal.

Growers observed token hunger strike in Sehwan against irrigation officials on Monday.

Haji Khan Rind, Dodo and other farmers told journalists that the Danistar canal pumping scheme was constructed at the cost of Rs45 million to lift water from canal but irrigation officials were not starting this scheme. They said because of it growers were facing problems to cultivate paddy and cotton crops. He demanded of the irrigation minister to ensure functioning of Danistar canal pumping scheme.