KOHAT, Dec 14: Five small dams have been planned in Kohat district under the second phase of the Drought Emergency Relief Programme (Dera-2) with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank.

The Asian Development Bank had sanctioned Rs4 billion for Dera-2 out of which Rs1.8 billion was set aside for the construction of the proposed 20 small dams in the province. The rest of the funds will be spent on drinking water schemes.

Nawab Ali, regional chief of the Small Dams Project, said that some incomplete dams of Dara-1 had also been included in Dera-2. He observed that only 12 dams could be built against the approved 20 owing to financial constraints. He said the government was considering including some of these projects in the Public Sector Development Programme to achieve the target.

He said the feasibility study of 12 dams had been submitted by the consultants and work was expected to start in the next fiscal year.

The sites identified for these dams are Zamir Gul, Darmalak, Nakband, Sumari Payan and Surgul in Kohat; Tora Warai in Hangu, Barga Nathu in Bannu; and Ghol, Baroach, Lawaghar, Mardankhel and Pail in Karak district.

These projects are in addition to four dams which have already been constructed in Kohat, Karak and Hangu districts.