HYDERABAD: The fresh spell of heavy to moderate rain that took the mainly lower region of the province by surprise on Tuesday continued intermittently on the third consecutive day on Thursday, adding to civic woes in urban areas and causing damage to mud-thatched houses and standing crops in villages.

In Hyderabad, it drizzled from Thursday morning till late in the night.

The rainwater from recent heavy downpour is seen stagnating on many roads and low-lying areas across Hyderabad district as civic agencies have failed to drain it out in time.

The Meteorological Office in Karachi reported over 60mm rain in Hyderabad and adjoining areas and forecast chances of thunderstorm and rain for next 24 hours.

BADIN: Moderate to light rain continued to lash Badin and its adjoining areas of Golarchi, Khoski, Talhar, Seerani, Kadhan, Tando Bago, Nindo Shahar, Pangrio, Malkani Sharif, Shadi Large and coastal belt, inundating low-lying areas, bazaars and roads.

Growers said that if heavy rains continued at this pace it would cause massive damage to standing crops of cotton, paddy, sugar cane, chillies, tomatoes and onions.

MITHI: Moderate to light showers continued to soak almost entire Thar, including Mithi, Islamkot, Chhachhro, Diplo, Kaloi, Nagarparkar and their adjacent areas, for the third day running. Tharis believe the more it rains the better as it brings good tidings to the area.

MIRPURKHAS: Heavy rainfall lashed the city and its adjoining towns, worsening insanitation caused by recent rains.

The level of rainwater in low-lying areas is rising with continuous rain, posing serious threat to nearby residential areas. It is also damaging cotton and chilli crops.

The rainwater is likely to damage the wheat stocks lying in the open under plastic sheets in government godowns if it continues to rain.

Standing rainwater damaged roads in Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Tando Jan Mohammad, Jhuddo, Naokot, Kot Ghulam Mohammad, Jhurbi, Jhilori, Khaan, Sindhri, Phuladiyoon and Hingorno towns.

KHAIRPUR: Heavy to light spells of rain continued intermittently in Khairpur and other parts of the district on Thursday.

According to agriculturists, trees of date palm, mango and others will greatly benefit from rain but it will not be advantageous for the early harvestable varieties of cotton in Faiz Gunj and Nara talukas.

DADU: Heavy rain battered Dadu and Jamshoro districts, inundating many low-lying areas and cutting off road links of several villages with towns.

Farmers said the rain would adversely affect standing crops of cotton and paddy.

The rain has increased level of Nai Gaaj Nullah, the natural storm-water drain, to 15 feet. The drain, which receives rainwater flowing downhill from the mountains in Kirthar range, has cut off 320 small and big villages from Johi and Khairpur Nathan Shah towns.

The Nai Gaaj water flows into Manchhar Lake, causing a rise in its level. An official at the lake said that at present the lake’s level stood at 11.5 feet RL (reduced level).

The lake has a capacity to store water up to 117 feet RL. Understandably, more rains in Kirthar range in the coming days mean further rise in lake’s level.

Residents of the most affected villages of Tando Rahim, Sawro, Wahi Pandhi, Halili, Chhinni, Pat Gul Mohammad, Qasibo, Chhiddi and Golo Faqir located along the Nai Gaaj complained that they were facing shortages of medicines, food and boats to shift their families and valuable belongings to safe places.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2017