HYDERABAD, July 11: The chief engineer, Irrigation, Kotri Barrage, Hyderabad, Mohammad Izhar Khan, has rebuffed the demand of the managing director, Wasa, Hyderabad, Mohammad Tahir, for decreasing the water level of the Old Phulelli Canal by six feet for draining out the standing water of Noorani Basti, Liaquat Colony, Darya Khan Goth, Fateh Chowk, Hali Road and American Quarters.

In a statement issued here on Friday, he said that the primary duty of the Wasa was to make necessary arrangements for the disposal of sewerage and rainwater, and added that the irrigation and power departments have nothing to do with it.

He said at this stage the level of water in the canal can not be decreased as the demand for water by the agricultural sector in the Talukas of Shah Bundar, Jati and Sujawal is as its peak.

In addition, he said, the water of the canal is also used by the people of lower Sindh for drinking.

He said if polluted water and sewage is discharged in the irrigation canals, it will pose a great danger to the health of humans.

He regretted that the Wasa had completely failed to make arrangements for the disposal of drainage water and sewage, and added that such a situation was witnessed every year in the city during the rains.

The chief engineer pointed out that raw sewage at 50 points on both sides of the Old and New Phulelli canals is already being discharged in the canals.

He said the only solution is that Wasa should make its own arrangements for treatment of raw sewage and stagnant water.

RELIEF: The additional relief commissioner, Sindh, Ali Nawaz Mallah, has asked all the district coordination officers of the province to take precautionary measures in advance to minimize loss of life and property due to more rains expected during the next 24 hours in the province, which has been forecast and communicated by the Federal Forecast Bureau, Metrological Department, Lahore.