DADU: There appeared to be no end in sight for flood-hit Kachho residents’ troubles as their area was once again battered by heavy rain on Sunday, causing many roads to submerge, stormwater drains to overtop and over 100 villages’ link cut off with nearby Johi town.

It rained heavily in Khirthar range of mountains and surrounding areas like Gorakh Hill Station, Karo Koat, Karo Jabal and Sado Bado. Several roads leading to Wahi Pandhi, Haji Khan and Tando Rahim Khan were inundated and link of 100 more villages was cut off from Johi town after Nai Gaaj Nullah swelled by 15 to 16 feet. Nine other storm water drains overtopped due to heavy rain.

Meanwhile, irrigation officials led by Sukkur barrage chief engineer Irshad Ali Memon and superintending engineer Mansoor Memon set up a camp at the flood protective dyke near Johi and started patrolling to monitor flow of hill torrents.

Hyderabad commissioner Abbas Baloch and Dadu deputy commissioner Raja Shahzaman Khuhro were also at the dyke to monitor the situation.

Chief engineer Irshad Ali Memon said that floodwater was safely moving down to Manchhar Lake and the dyke was safe. The lake’s embankments were also safe, he said

Dadu DC said that main roads in Kachho were not completely flooded in rainwater as restoration work continued. The district administration was prepared to face any emergency, he said, adding the administration had set up a relief camp at the dyke.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2020