SUKKUR, July 2: Irrigation experts fear that the River Indus would be flooded during the coming monsoon, which might bring widespread devastation in the province, if precautionary measures were not taken on a war footing.

The water at upstream Guddu Barrage has been recorded at 208,113 cusecs, while downstream at 168,682 cusecs. The water at upstream Sukkur Barrage was recorded at 168,682 cusecs, while downstream it was recorded at 107,832 cusecs.

The irrigation authorities say it is the highest discharge at the Guddu and Sukkur Barrage during the last three years.

The reports pouring in indicate that the river has started eroding protective embankments at the Dur Mohammad village, near the Qadir Pur loop bund. It has been learnt that protective embankments are being eroded in other parts of the province also.

It has been learnt from irrigation department reports that there are no less than 74 vulnerable points on the right bank of the River Indus, while there are no less than 57 vulnerable points on the left bank of the Indus River, all of which need to be repaired immediately.

However, since the flood commission had not released any fund to date, these places are a potential threat to the lives and property of the people in case the River Indus is flooded.

Sources close to the irrigation department told this correspondent that the irrigation staff release pressure on the protective embankments, especially at vulnerable points, which increases the discharge of the canals resulting in a number of breaches causing heavy losses to standing crops and property.

At the Kotri Barrage, the upstream water level was recorded at 80,000 cusecs, while downstream at 44,000 cusecs.

The growers fear that the barrage running in full capacity might develop breaches if the irrigation department was not careful.