SAHIWAL: Around 15,000 residents of four villages in the district are facing constant threat of land erosion on eastern side of River Ravi, demanding immediate measures to check the phenomena.

Sources told Dawn that the villages -- Moza Dad Baloch, Karam Baloch, Miran Shah and Shahmand Baloch – locate near Noor Shah, had been hit by land erosion since long. They said since 1980 around 100 acres of agricultural land had been eaten up by strong river currents.

They also deplored apathy of the ruling party lawmakers got elected from the area towards the issue that was threatening their livelihood.

They said two years back the district administration had built two embankments (studs) at Miran Sahah and Dad Baloch villages, but one of them got damaged by strong river currents during past 30 days.

Bahdar Khan Baloch, a local lawyer and resident of Shahmand Baloch, told this correspondent that in 1980 flood Miyana Thatta village, 1988 Moza Molanza, 1996 half land of Miran Shah village and in 2006 half land of Dad Baloch and Longa Wali villages were eaten up by Ravi.

He said now the erosion threat had increased for the residents of Moza Dad Baloch and Shahmand Baloch, especially.

Sakhawat Ali Baloch, whose land is scattered in both villages, claimed that during the last two years the river had devoured up 30 acres of his agricultural land.

Lahnay Khan, the Lumberdar of Dad Baloch village said: "A boys primary school and a health centre at Shahmand Baloch are facing serious threat because of land erosion and both buildings may collapse into river anytime.

“It is the only health centre in the area that caters to medical needs of some 10,000 locals”, he added.

Manzoor Ahmed Khan, a resident of the village, claimed that during the last four years four acres of his agricultural land had been eroded by the river.

Similarly, two other farmers -- Akhter Muhammad and Noor – claim loss of one-and-a-half acre and two-acre pieces of land, respectively, because of erosion.

Sources said a few days back a 40-member delegation of local farmers headed by Sakhawat Ali Baloch, Iqbal Khan of Dad Baloch and Bahdar Khan of Shahmand Baloch met with Commissioner Sadeeq Shaikh and informed him about the soil erosion.

The delegation demanded both short and long term measure to check erosion.

The sources said Assistant Commissioner Ms Tahira Ikram visited the villages a couple of days back and submitted a report on erosion to her high-ups.

Talking to Dawn, she confirmed soil erosion was a serious issue in the area and steps should be taken to check it. "Steps, both short and long term, must be taken," she said.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2014