THATTA: Despite widespread flood in most parts of the province, tail-end areas of Jati and Shahbunder talukas are thirsting for water as irrigation department has closed down all the canals supplying water to the area, according to MPA Mohammad Ali Malkani.

The Pakistan Peoples Party’s MPA told media persons on Sunday that chief engineer had suspended supply of water to their area, which would inflict huge losses on growers.

He said that at a time when most of the province was under water and Kotri barrage downstream was flowing with had 600,000 cusecs the growers of his constituency were thirsting for water.

“I, as an elected representative of the areas, have approached the authorities several times for release of water into the canals of low-lying areas of my constituency but they turned a deaf ear to my requests,” he said.

He alleged the negligent officers wanted to suppress his people economically and spoil reputation of the ruling party.

He warned that he and growers of his area would stage a massive protest against the irrigation department for its negligence and irresponsibility that could lead to economic crisis in the two talukas of Sujawal district.

About the MPA claims, veteran agronomist Obhayo Khan Khushik said that despite sufficient water in Old Phuleli canal, such complaints could only be attributed to negligence of the irrigation department.

He said that water was essential for paddy fields during ongoing season. Water supply to the tail-end areas for even one week would be sufficient to cater to the area’s needs, he said.

Social activist Zahid Ishaque said that scarcity of water amid widespread flooding had exposed ugly face of the irrigation department. The chief minister should take the issue seriously, he said.

Work on Surjani dyke reviewed

Sindh Minister for Irrigation Jam Khan Shoro, special assistant to chief minister Sadiq Ali Memon, former Senator Syed Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi and others inspected reinforcement work being carried out at Surjani dyke.

They told journalist during the visit that the situation was well under control and urged masses to avoid paying heed to rumours.

People residing near Surjani dyke claimed to have witnessed emission of arsenic water from underground near the protective dykes of the river. “We have never seen such a phenomenon before, it is inexplicable,” said Allah Bachayo Malah, a fisherman.

Meanwhile, a drop of 6,000 cusecs was recorded at Kotri downstream on Sunday and the officials of the irrigation department claimed that water level at the barrage would decline further from Monday.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2022