DADU: The World Bank has helped Sindh government construct 70 small dams in drought prone areas of Kohistan, Tharparkar and other arid zones, according to WB mission currently visiting the country.

The mission comprising Task Team Leader Yohannes Kessete, Co-Task Team Leader Bilal Khalid, members Ayalew Kebede, Shahid Sohail, Shoaib Siddiqui, Shams Jarfani and Hibah Tipu Sheikh visited Mole-5 flood detention dam over Mole river in Bachal Shehino village, Thana Bula Khan, Jamshoro district, on Monday where Zahid Hussain Shaik, senior water resource specialist at the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project (SFERP) briefed them.

The WB mission member, Shoaib Siddiqui, said that a significant change was observed after construction of 11 flood detention dams in Kohistan as agriculture and other economic activities saw a boost in the area. During drought period, water level had dropped to 450 feet in Kohistan region, which had now recharged and come up to 150 feet, he said.

Bilal Khalid said that WB had supported Sindh government through Sindh Resilience Project to construct 70 small dams in drought prone areas and work on the project had been completed successfully.

Shams Jafrani said that small farmers were now able to cultivate their land with various crops as ample water was available for the needs of human and livestock population.

Zahid Shaikh informed the mission that Kohistan was one of the major arid zones in Sindh where life and livelihood solely depended on rainfall. SFERP was initiated in response to massive floods in 2022 with the help of WB to rehabilitate damaged irrigation and drainage infrastructure across the province, he said.

He said that 11 detention dams were built under the project, which had dual purpose as they not only detained water in flood season but also recharged underground water.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2024