HYDERABAD: Indus River rose to high flood level at Guddu Barrage on Monday as a flow of 500,523 cusecs was recorded upstream and 477,005 cusecs downstream at 6am. Water level at Sukkur Barrage also increased with a flow of 420,125 cusecs upstream and 386,630 downstream.

Likewise, Kotri Barrage recorded a flow of 188,915 cusecs upstream and 185,845 cusecs downstream.

The levels at Sindh’s three barrages increased further at 6pm with Guddu showing an upstream flow of 514,743 cusecs and 489,728 at downstream. Sukkur recorded a flow of 427,250 cusecs upstream and 390,900 cusecs downstream.

Kotri Barrage flows remained normal at 198,166 cusecs upstream and 194,746 cusecs downstream, according to the irrigation control room at Sukkur Barrage.

Officials expect that Guddu would receive a flow of around or over 550,000 cusecs in the next few days. No rainfall was being reported in upcountry areas. Upstream flows that had increased due to rains upcountry would finally reach Guddu in a few days.

The riverine area between Guddu, Sukkur and Kotri barrages has been inundated, which is a positive sign for the area. Crops that people grow in the riverine area have, however, been inundated. Many have cultivated banana, cotton and vegetables. They have been washed away, causing losses to the growers.

Canals of three barrages have been opened. Levels in Kotri Barrage’s canals are being slowly increased in view of accumulation of rainwater in the command areas of different irrigation channels of this barrage in Badin, Tando Mohammad Khan, Thatta and Sujawal.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2020