RAHIM YAR KHAN: A 50-foot-wide breach occurred on Monday in a spur along the river Indus near the Benazir Bhutto Saheed Bridge, Chachran Sharif, some 70kms from here on Monday morning.

As per experts, for the last two weeks the river Indus has apparently been changing its course because of the recent high flood, adding that the water flow has decreased and its direction is towards south-western bank.

The irrigation department had built the JS spur on the river’s upstream side, spending millions of rupees and the process of strengthening it was also in progress when the breach occurred.

Locals say that on Monday morning, when the river water was flowing in the creek along the spur, a 50-foot-wide breach occurred suddenly due to the massive erosion.

Because of the breach in the JS spur, the water entered the three already vacated villages -- Basti Gopang, Basti Mahraan and Basti Pahoraan -- in the riverbed area, they say.

According to some locals, who made a footage of occurring of the breach, the erosion of spur could also damage the Benazir Bridge’s approach road and the water could also reach up to the Minchan Bund (protective dyke).

On being informed of the breach, the irrigation staff reached the spot around noon and using an excavator and tractor-trolleys started plugging it with mud and stones. However, the locals say the breach kept widening despite the irrigation staff efforts.

Irrigation Superintendent Engineer (SE) Abdul Wahid told Dawn that the water had already damaged the apron of the JS spur on 5th and 6th September, but it was later repaired.

He says the JS spur was 800-foot long and the water made its way from a small portion of it, triggering the erosion.

The SE, however, says the breach will soon be plugged and won’t threaten the areas along the spur.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2022