BAHAWALPUR: The intermittent rain over the last three days has filled almost all the open ponds (tobas) in Cholistan, providing water for the residents of the desert area and their livestock.

The rain has not only ensured water supply for the human as well as animal populations in the area, but also fed the grazing fields comprising plants and bushes for the herds for several months.

Cholistan Development Authority (CDA) Managing Director (MD) Mahar Khalid Ahmed told Dawn that with the recent intermittent showers, the rainwater has also accumulated in the low-lying plains of Cholistan, converting them into temporary ponds that may dry up during the next week or so.

He says that the rains during the last week have proved a boon for the Cholistani people and their livestock, who had been facing drought-like conditions during the previous months of May and June, creating an acute shortage of drinking water.

He says that these showers have also a moderating effect on otherwise harsh weather in the area, hoping that it will the local population that had moved to relatively greener areas along with their livestock in search of water and fodder to return to their native places.

The CDA managing director appreciated the role of various government departments and agencies, including divisional and district administrations, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Rescue 1122 and some NGOs for taking immediate relief and rescue measures to provide drinking water in the desert area during the previous two months of scorching heat.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.