HYDERABAD, Aug 1: A big portion of the kutcha area near Matiari and crops over hundreds of acres of land have been inundated following an increase in the water flow of the River Indus.

Many tube-wells and lift machines have also been submerged by water. The affected areas include Bao Dero, Sekhat, Khebrani and Puran. Pressure on the Bhanote bund and other protective bunds is increasing. However, when contacted on telephone, irrigation officials claimed that protective bunds were safe and there was no threat to embankments of the Indus at any place as there was low flood in the river.

The control room of the Kotri Barrage reported that the water flow at upstream was 263,036 cusecs at 6pm and 233,986 cusecs at downstream. At the Sukkur Barrage, the water flow at upstream was 440,825 cusecs and 381,810 cusecs at downstream and the water level at the Guddu Barrage was 399,513 cusecs at upstream and 372,721 cusecs at downstream.