LARKANA, Sept 3: Level of floodwater in Hamal Lake continues to mount pressure on its dykes because its five gates on Main Nara Valley drain, its main spillway, have not been opened yet.

The lake has touched 12 .2 foot level, just three inches short of the dangerous level. If it overflowed its banks it would pose a threat to Warah town.

Besides, the floodwater outside the lake unleashed by the infamous Tori breach has mounted pressure on temporarily raised embankment around Warah and Naseerabad towns after ravaging Gaji Khuhawar town.

It was exerting pressure on Nawab Shakh (branch) and Mirwah, which posed an obstacle to its flow. “We are sitting next to a ticking time bomb,” said Moor Chandio of Warah town

“God forbid! If it overflowed the protective bund, it will directly hit Warah, Naseerabad, Wagan, Lalurounk and Larkana,” said Mr Chandio. MPA Najamuddin Abro told journalists that rising level of the lake and closure of its gates could pose a serious threat to Warah.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah accompanied by Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo and Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Rafique Jamali visited Naseerabad town on Friday and was briefed by Shafqat Wadho, superintendent engineer of Saifullah Magsi branch (canal), Sindh Minister for Food Mir Nadir Magsi and PPP MPA from Warah about the floodwater situation and threat to Warah and Naseerabad towns.

They stressed the need for making a breach in Dhamraho wah to ease pressure on Warah, Naseerabad and Badah, warning that if the floodwater was not provided a route it would hit the towns and even flow down to Moenjodaro.

Mir Nadir said that level of floodwater had started dropping. “We should watch the behaviour of floodwater after cuts in Johi canal during next 24 hours,” he said.

Mohammad Hayat Shaikh, taluka president of Naseerabad and former taluka nazim, who attended the briefing, said that it was decided that if water level did not drop within 24 hours then it would be imperative to breach Dhamraho wah. And all possible places for the breach had already been identified, he said.