HYDERABAD, July 2: A seven-member committee has been constituted for removing encroachments from the protective bunds of river Indus for free movement of machinery and patrolling teams in case of monsoon emergency.

The DCO Hyderabad Ali Ahmed Lund formed the committee headed by Assistant Engineer by Qazi Khalid, farmers, and Tapedars. The DCO was inspecting the bunds at Jamshoro and Giddu on Wednesday when he said that steps had been taken keeping in view breaches caused by floods.

He directed the officers of Revenue Department to prepare encroachment removal plan from protective bunds while taking help from public representatives. He asked the officers concerned to help avoid erosion of bunds by getting stopped evacuation and lifting of sand from the perilous area. Clearance of inspection paths will help in moving the required machinery and flood material in case strengthening of embankments was needed, he said.

“So far, we haven’t received inundation threat from the Metrological Department but it may, in case of heavy downpour or release of bulk water from the upper side,” the DCO said.

The district government was ready to provide assistance and support to Irrigation Department, whenever situation arises, he said while stressing upon the officers of related departments to remain in contact with each other and also prepare master plan for safe passage of flood water.

He told Revenue and Police departments to prepare a list of villages/inhabitants under inundation threat with the provision to remove inhabitants, if and when, the situation calls for, along with instructions to Health Department to plan ‘care and cure’ facilities for the people of Katcha area. He also called for making available Ab-Kalani material for filling the breach without loss of life and property.

Executive Engineer, Phulelli, Syed Aijaz Ali Shah briefing the DCO said that some 33.33 miles of protective bunds were being taken care of, by his management which includes 12.7 miles of Ghalian Front Bund, 4.6 miles of Jamshoro Front Bund and 4.3 miles of Giddu Mal Front Bund with extension of 0.7 miles of Giddu, 0.7 of Mal Bund, 2.6 miles of Kotri Bund and 7.6 miles of Second Defence Loop Bund.

He said areas at 3/0 to 5/2, 7/2 to 9/0 and 10/10 to 12/7 of Ghalian Front Bund had been identified as vulnerable, similarly areas at 1/0 to 2/0 of Jamshoro Front Bund and 1/5 to 4/4 of Giddu Protective Bund too, fall in the same category where efforts were being put to strengthen embankments. He said an action plan was being made as directed by the DCO Hyderabad to remove encroachments from embankments and accelerate patrolling of vigilant staff. The EDO Revenue Syed Barkat Ahmed Rizivi, DDO Revenue, Mukhtiarkar Revenue, Assistant Executive Engineer Qazi Khalid and other officers accompanied the DCO.