THIS refers to the letter ‘Water Scarcity’ (Feb 21). The scarcity of water in Pakistan is more due to unplanned projects and improper use of water than natural disasters. Some canals do not have stone dykes. Leakage of water not only decreases the quantity of water, but also affects the fertility of fields.

Rohri Canal which has leakages at various places has no stone dyke for about four kilometres from the side of Ghulam Ali Jamali village near Bakhar Jamali. Hundreds of acres of fields have been destroyed because of this.

Besides, the canal is a threat to human life as a breach can take place any time.

If this happens, the National Highway will get inundated as well. Though this happens to be one of the deepest and the biggest canals of Pakistan, no proper measures have been taken to resolve the issue.

Tube wells in Sindh remain non-functional, and the relevant department remains in the sleeping mode except on the day when the employees get their salaries. Instead of working on tube wells, they bar the landowners from cultivating rice, as rice fields need more water.

The issue must be practically managed seriously and urgently. The provincial government needs to work on saving water on a priority basis before it gets too late.

Mujahid Ali
Bakhar Jamali

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2022