THATTA, June 26: Hundreds of people of 50-odd villages, located on various islands in the Arabian Sea, have been cut off from the mainland following rain and heavy winds since Saturday afternoon.

The islands include Kharochhan, Tikko, Jhab, Kaeir and Bettiry. The villages of Haji Mir Mohammad, Majid Utradi, Ahmed Balani, Mohammad Saleh Jat, Abdullah Baloch, Miran Dino Jat, Issa Balani, Ahmed Balochi, Issa Khaskheli, Chuto Khaskheli Jumo, Sehto, Ibrahim Batalo, Siddique Khaskheli, Haji Ramzan Kharai, and Pandhi Jatt have also been badly affected, according to the office-bearers of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF).

PFF district chapter President Syed Gulab Shah, Delta Development Organisation President Shafi Murghar and social worker Punhoon Jatt told Dawn that the islanders had been cut off from the mainland mainly due to fear of probable eventualities among local vessel operators and fishermen who are reluctant to ferry between the shore and the islands.

They said that many of the villages had been submerged. Near Riwando Tar, a semi-katcha link road has been eroded due to constant water pressure from both sides and developed a 200-foot breach.

Both the Kharochhan and Keti Bunder talukas comprise 42 dehs, of which 19 dehs had already periodically been inundated under oceanic water while only five dehs were containing fertile banana and pan crops. All the five dehs have been submerged.

Thatta DCO Usman Panhwar was not available for comments. However, a revenue official said the district administration had established two relief camps at Keti Bunder and Baghan.