HYDERABAD, March 20: A noted scientist has said that due to an unjust distribution of water, a very dangerous situation had developed in Sindh as the quality of water of Indus River was deteriorating with each passing day.

University of Sindh’s Natural Sciences faculty director Dr Mohammad Yar Khuhawar said that only 10 per cent water was being released in the sea as a result of which the sea water is eroding rich agricultural land and the quality of underground water is also deteriorating.

He was speaking at a seminar organised by “Indus NGOs Network” at the press club here on Thursday.

The topic of the seminar was “Indus Water Pollution: Impact and Consequences”.

Dr Khuhawar said that the water of Indus River was becoming unfit for human consumption which was giving rise to many diseases.

He said the flowing water was absolutely pure as during the flow, oxygen mixes in the water which cleansed all impurities.

He further said the sand in the bed of flowing water also cleared impunities.

He said the water should always be boiled before consumption. He said there were some natural elements which polluted the water but the main cause of pollution was man-made which could be stopped.

He said the present situation was created due to the construction of dams and barrages. Presently 90 per cent of water was used for agriculture and drinking purposes while only 10 percent was released into the sea.

He said the city sewerage and industrial waste including the waste of powerhouses was also being disposed of into the river Indus which had greatly polluted the only source of water in Sindh.Referring to Manchhar lake, he said unless 30 per cent of water was released in the lake from Indus, lake water will remain unfit for human consumption.

Dr Khuhawar said that according to a survey, the underground water downstream Kotri up to Sujawal Mori had become brackish. He said if the sewerage and industrial waste have to be disposed of in the Indus, then it must be treated before disposal and equitable distribution of water should be ensured.

The others who spoke on the occasion included, Javed Sadiq Dominic Stephan and others.