SUKKUR: A 10-ft-wide breach occurred in the dyke of the Jamali Wah (irrigation channel) inundating acres of land with standing rice crop along the Jial Shah area of Jacobabad district on Sunday.

The gushing deluge from the ruptured portion of the dyke flooded a vast area, besides sweeping away the crop.

Flowing for several hours, the deluge hit several villages and destroyed scores of houses.

The affected families told the media that they did promptly alert the local irrigation officials but without any response.

They said people of the affected area had to plug the breach on their own.

They claimed that this particular section of the dyke had turned weak months back and was constantly showing signs of erosion. They said the officials had been approached several times with the complaint but they made no effort to strengthen the dyke.

“Their criminal negligence resulted in the breach today and heavy losses to the landowners and farmers,” they lamented.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2025