HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed Matiari district administration to release floodwaters from villages into Chandan Mori (escape channel) which would ultimately flow into Indus.

He said Sindh government was trying to ensure that farmers were able to sow their Rabi crop, especially wheat, so that they could offset their economic losses incurred in Kharif crop due to rains. He added that dewatering and restoration of irrigation network were important tasks of government. He said that farmers would be provided financial assistance in the shape of fertilizer, seed or fuel.

He issued these directives during his visit to Matiari district on Saturday before leaving for Nawabshah and Naushahro Feroze. Provincial ministers Makhdoom Mehboobuz Zaman and Jam Khan Shoro; CM’s special assistant Syed Qasim Naveed and PPP district president Syed Ali Hussain Shah accompanied him.

He also inspected Mehran Highway near the Makh Wah area where water of four union councils would be released into Rohri Canal. He said that steps should be taken immediately for dewatering of the villages. He also met rain-affected people staying in tent city near Mehran Highway.

New waterway ordered to help clear floodwaters from over 100 villages

Matiari DC Mohammad Adnan Rasheed briefed him about measures taken so far for rain-hit people.

Revenue Minister Makhdoom Mahboob and irrigation experts decided that the for the draining of floodwaters from more than 100 small and big villages of the four union councils a small channel between Khor Wah and Rohri Canal would be developed to connect them.

The chief minister directed Mr Mahboob to monitor excavation for the new channel and ensure its completion within two to three days so that disposal of water could be started.

The meeting also pointed out that the water flowing from Udero Lal, Jhando Mari and from other areas of Sanghar could also be disposed of through the Makh Wah.

“I have visited Chandan drain passing through the National Highway in the areas of Matiari which was flowing at its dead level,” he said.

“I think it is choked somewhere otherwise, it could carry rainwater from the upper area of Matiari to Indus,” he added and directed irrigation engineers to inspect the Chandan Mori and clear it for flows.

The chief minister, accompanied by Mr Shoro, Adviser for Relief and Rehabilitation Rasool Bux Chandio and Special Assis­tant Syed Qasim Naveed, went to Naushahro Feroze where former minister Zia Lanjar and other elected members of the district joined them.

The chief minister visited the under-construction Phul basic health unit building where he found the health facility functional, and directed works department to expedite the completion of the work within the next two months.

The CM told journalists that he had visited 10 districts so far to see how relief and rescue work was going on. He said that steps were being taken for clearing Saeedabad taluka of rainwater. He said that the administration had decided to dewater the area through Makh Wah, an old waterway. He said that he had asked irrigation officials to dig Makh wah and ensure disposal of rainwater.

He said that party workers and parliamentarians were supervising relief

work. He said that 1.5m tents were required but only 400,000 were available. He said entire world had been urged to help Pakistan and its Sindh province in responding to needs of people hit by floods.

He said that Pakistan was facing climate change problem which was caused by developed world. He said that it was incumbent upon developed countries to help Pakistan. He said that such devastations were not witnessed and only four to five districts were hit previously. He said that this time 24 districts were affected.

He said that medicines were being provided for control of dengue. He said that medical complex was established. He said that waterborne diseases were being controlled. He said that wheat crisis would be overcome soon adding that wheat would be released from warehouses by Oct 20 which would help stabilize flour prices.

CM also visited Shaheed Benazirabad district. He took an aerial view and found that water was still standing around villages. He asked Public Health Engineering (PHE) and local government officials to ensure dewatering. He said Indus river flows had dropped and now water could be easily released into it. He also visited relief camp at Atal Bohio stop in Naushahro Feroze. He spoke to rain-hit people staying in the camp.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2022