RAHIM YAR KHAN: After destroying hundreds of acres of agricultural land and dozens of villages between Mauza Ahmed Kuddan and Sammka, near Chachran Sharif June last, the River Indus is again posing a threat to cultivable land in the area, necessitating construction of a new spur there.

According to residents of Chak Ahmed Yar, Mud Aadil, the Indus waters devoured hundreds of acres with standing crops last summer. The water also washed off two primary schools, a graveyard, a shrine and many cemented houses in the area, they say.

The erosion had also compelled dozens of residents of Ahmed Kuddan to evacuate and shift to safer places with their belongings and cattle on self-help basis, as neither the local parliamentarians, nor the district administration and irrigation department came forward with any relief activities for them.

The affected locals have been demanding construction of a new spur in the area to save their dwellings, land and crops from erosion, but their elected representatives and officers concerned are turning a deaf ear to them.

They say that now the Indus water is again touching the main Minchan dyke that is vital to save the south-western areas of Khanpur and Rahim Yar Khan tehsils.

They allege the irrigation department last year did not strengthen the Minchan dyke properly and used more sand and less stones for its fortification, resulting in land erosion in the area even in the winter season when the water flow is low.

They apprehend if a new spur was not constructed, the areas of Rukanpur, Zahirpir, Chachran Sharif, M-5 Motorway, Benazir Road and Panjnand Canal could be under threat of land erosion by the Indus.

Irrigation Superintendent Engineer (SE) Abdul Wahid says the process for the construction of a new spur near Ahmed Kaddan has been initiated and a letter has been written to the department high-ups for the inspection of the area for the purpose.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2022