DADU, Sept 1: Panic gripped the residents of Khairpur Nathan Shah town after three 50-foot wide breaches occurred in the Main Nara Valley (MNV) drain in the village of Kumb early on Wednesday morning.

The floodwater from the breaches inundated the villages of Uraz Mohammad Naich, Chhutto Naich, Yousuf Naich, Pathree, Shahi, Ahmed Khan, Satani, Chhutal Babar, Satani Depar, Ahmed Khan and Gahr. It was about one kilometre from Khairpur Nathan Shah town.

The Hamal lake is under threat as its water level reached 10 feet against a danger level of 12 feet.

Most people in Khairpur Nathan Shah have moved to safe places. They complained about shortage of vehicles and high fares.

A dispute arose between legislators belonging to Mehar/Khair Nathan Shah and Johi over the issue of making an artificial breach at Kari Mori of Johi branch. Irrigation officials suggested a cut to divert the water from Khairpur Nathan Shah and Mehar talukas to Johi taluka and Manchhar lake, but it could not be done because of the differing positions taken by the legislators.

A large number of armed men resisted the move when officials of the irrigation department and district administration reached Kari Mori for making a cut. Five more villages near the Johi-Dadu road have been inundated. The floodwater in Suprio bund has swamped Aliwal area. LARKANA

: Qambar-Shahdadkot DCO Yaseen Shar told Dawn that the Hamal lake was under threat because the water level was constantly rising, adding that it was threatening to smash the flood protective bund.

Sources in Warah said that closure of five gates of MNV drain had put further pressure on the Hamal lake.

The Hamal town and villages of Illahi Dera, Muqam and Aalo Pir have been inundated and their residents have moved to safe areas.

A protective bund around Naseerabad was being built to save the town from the floodwater released from breaches in Badah and Ghar drains.

The Warah town is facing threat from two sides -- breaches in Ghar drain and water overflowing the Gaji Khuhawar-Mehar road.

The water level is rising at a newly-constructed dyke around Warah, at Mirwah and Nawab Shakh.

The authorities have been debating a cut in Dhamraho Wah (canal), in the west of Supro bund, near Garhi village, to provide the accumulated floodwater a natural route to Manchar lake.

Senator Dr Safdar Abbasi said the elected representatives and the local administration should make a decision without losing time about giving a natural path to the accumulated floodwater. He sought the Sindh chief minister's intervention in the matter.