SUKKUR, May 3: The irrigation authorities opened two canals of the Guddu Barrage and one canal of the Sukkur Barrage on Friday. However, the authorities decided against opening of three other canals of Guddu and Sukkur barrages till the level increases at both the barrages.

A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting held in Hyderabad on Thursday, which was attended by all the irrigation officials, including chief engineers, SEs and XENs.

According to the officials of the control room established at the Sukkur Barrage, three canals — Dadu Canal of Sukkur, B.S. Feeder and Desert Pat Feeder of Guddu Barrage — had been opened, while Ghotki canal of Guddu, rice canal of Sukkur Barrage and NWF canal were to be kept closed.

The official told Dawn that on the directives of the higher authorities 3ft water had been released in Dadu canal. However, no instructions had been received for the release of water in Rice canal and NWF canal.

The irrigation official at the Sukkur Barrage said although level at Guddu had increased to some extent but it would take 15 more days to reach the level at which water could be released in the remaining canals as per requirements of the growers, who were facing difficulties specially in Sukkur and Ghotki areas.

The present water position recorded at Sukkur Barrage is upstream 22,940 cusecs and downstream 6,171 cusecs, while at Guddu upstream is 34,107 and downstream is 31,535 cusecs.

ASSURANCE: District Nazim Ghotki, Sardar Ali Gohar Khan Maher, has said that repair of 24 houses in Miran-jo-Dero would be carried out from government funds.