THATTA, March 19: The closure of canals and acute shortage of water has created many problems for the people of Thatta district.

The main Sakro branch of Mirpursakro sub-division is closed for last one month because it is not a perennial canal. Most of the crops, in the command area, face destruction and this may create an economic crisis.

The perennial Odero canal that supplies water to Ghorabari and Ketibundar talukas has less water that does not flow in tail-end branches. However, the lower irrigation officials allegedly create artificial shortage for majority of population to favour some influential landlords.

A delegation of growers, including Malik Luqman Malkani, Pir Ghulam Ali Shah, Ismail Sholani, Dilawar Sholani and Haji Khan Gabol, told newsmen on Tuesday that the water of the Odero canal was diverted to the Malirari Nali branch because it irrigated the land of an influential person.

They said that other branches of the Odero canal, including the Jooho nail and the Gorabari nail, were closed although they were perennial channels.

They accused the XEN of irrigation and Darogha of favouring influential landlords of the Malirari nail and depriving all other people of their due share of water during rotation period.

They said that major crops, including banana, papaya, chili and tomato, had badly been affected due to lack of water.

They regretted that there was no drinking water for human beings and cattle. They demanded of the higher authorities concerned to solve the problem.

WATER: The acute shortage of water in Thatta for last one week has caused grave problems for the residents.