THATTA, Aug 4: In the aftermath of week-long torrential rains and sea intrusion, hundreds of fishermen and their families are still stranded in submerged villages along the Thatta coast.

Five coastal talukas — Keti Bunder, Kharochhan, Ghorabari, Jati and Shah Bunder — along the Thatta coast are the worst affected due to the rain and sea intrusion.

Kar Malik and Kothi union councils of the Jati taluka have sustained irreparable losses as embankments of the tidal link canal developed breaches averagely 30 feet at various sites creating havoc in the area.

Villages inundated are: Usman Dhandal, Haji Lal Mohammad Themore, Qasim Themore, Abdul Rehman, Ahmed Themore, Ishaque Themore, Mohammad Khan Pathan, Ali Mohammad Racho, Basar Borio and Hussain Patel.

About 4,000 to 5,000 people are reported to have been stranded in the villages.

Some 70 fishermen who remained untraceable since their departure to sea for fishing over a week back reached their villages in early hours on Friday.

Many of them are infected by diarrhoea, vomiting and eye disease due to the abnormal sea situation.

Three fishing vessels are said to be still missing.

These vessels are: Al-Deedar, Al-Ibrahim Themore and an unidentified vessel carrying fishermen Hamzo, Peerano, Ali, Basar, Tamachi, Sharif and Saleem on board.

The vessels had gone to Harami Dhoro and Seer Creek for fishing.

In Kharochhan and Keti Bunder talukas, Mosa Jhoor Batar, Bet Mehar, Sajan Wari, Thari Wari, Dolo Petolai, Johu, Mohammad Hassan Jat and Aatharki villages are under water.

Thatta DCO Usman Panhwar said that the irrigation staff had been deputed at vulnerable points of various bunds of the tidal link to monitor the situation.

He said that all possible measures were being taken to shift marooned people in make-shift arrangement buildings where medical aid and food was being provided to over 3,000 affected people.

He said that 17 relief camps had been set up in five talukas and the district government was taking all-out efforts to handle the situation.