HYDERABAD, July 22: The General Officer Commanding, Hyderabad, Maj Gen Mohammad Tariq Masood, has directed the Sindh irrigation authorities to keep strict vigilance over flood protective embankments of the Indus and undertake precautionary measures in advance to avoid any eventuality during flood if any.

He issued the directives while visiting the S. M. Bund in Bhanote, Hala taluka, on Tuesday.

The GOC said that it must be ensured that the area inhabitants, especially those living near the embankments, were safe from flood and flood fighting arrangements be made according to assessment of the meteorological department.

He stressed the need for getting embankments of the river strengthened so that even high flood could pass through without causing any damage. In addition, necessary flood fighting material should be made available in advance at the vulnerable points to meet any emergency, he added.

Maj Gen Masood also directed the officers to issue information about river behaviour and protective measures.

The chief engineer, Sukkur Barrage, Syed Noor Mohammad Shah, told the GOC that 38 vulnerable points were identified in the area where the situation was were under control.

However, he informed that damage to the T-head spur had occurred, which was being constructed to keep the water pressure away from the S. M. Bund.

He said that repair work of the T-head spur damage had been launched by the irrigation department, which needed filling of 660,000 cubic feet and 361,000 cubic feet were filled while remaining filling will be completed by July 31.

He said that the scheme of T-head spur had been revised and got approved from the federal government and it would be completed in winter subject to availability of funds.

Mr Shah concluded that intensive monitoring had been ensured by establishing a monitoring centre at each kilometre of the embankment, while flood-fighting material was being dumped at the vulnerable points to meet any eventuality.

The chief engineer, Kotri Barrage, Mohammad Izhar Khan, in his briefing informed that along 302-km-long embankments in his jurisdiction, 35 vulnerable points had been identified which could withstand even high flood.

He said that a special watch was being maintained on the Surjani Bund, S. M. Bund and Sujawal-Thatta Bunds and precautionary measures had been taken in advance.

He rejected the request made by the Hyderabad DCO and the Wasa managing director for lowering water level at the Phulelli Canal for few days to dispose off city effluent in the interest of tail-end growers.

The GOC asked the DCO and HDA officials to prepare a mega project for disposal of city sewerage.

Col Rehman Joya briefed the GOC about flood fighting strategy of his unit, saying that it had taken precautionary measures to cope with emergency situation if any.

Later, the GOC inspected different parts of the T-head spur and the S. M. Bund and the ongoing embankment strengthening work.

He also visited the Bhanote police station and asked the DPO to get it repaired. He also met with local people and assured them about flood protective measures.