MIRPURKHAS: Many villages and standing crops over hundreds of acres were washed away following dyke breaches in two irrigation channels in Mirpurkhas and Shaheed Benazirabad (formerly Nawabshah) districts on Saturday.

Affected villagers in Mirpurkhas said that a breach occurred in the dyke of Mureed branch (irrigation channel) near Digri town after which water with intense pressure forced its way into the cultivated areas and Karam Ali Nohani, Bhoro Khan Nohani, Yaqoon Nohani and several other villages.

They said the breach gradually widened to 20 feet before they could start plugging work. Several hours later, local irrigation officials along with the required material and labourers joined them to mend the dyke, they added.

The villagers said that crops over an estimated 500 acres were destroyed and knee-deep water was now standing in most of the affected areas.

NAWABSHAH: The dyke of James minor (irrigation channel) also developed a 60-foot wide breach near Daur town in Shaheed Benazirabad district on Saturday.

Affected people said their families had to be moved to places away from the flood-hit lands.

Dinari, Imamdin Keerio, Maajan and two other villages came under gushing water which swept away standing crops over several hundred acres, affected villagers said.

They said they had sent a distress call to the local irrigation officials but without any response. A number of villagers were busy doing plugging work till late in the evening.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2019