DADU, Dec 3: The irrigation network in Dadu and Jamshoro districts which was greatly impaired during the devastating floods with 29 breaches in Johi Canal, 15 in Khuda Wah and 39 in MNV drain has not been repaired yet.

Growers fear if the breached waterways were not restored by Dec 15 they would not be able to start sowing of wheat crop. Cultivation of wheat has begun from Nov 1 in the rest of the province and will continue till the end of February. A number of growers have started cultivating the crop in different pockets of flood-affected areas where water has dried up or drained out.

According to growers, after seedlings sprout from wheat seeds they must be watered within 20 days else they die. The fear of loss in case they do not get water in time while irrigation network remains in a shambles is preventing most growers from sowing the crop.

Last month, President Asif Ali Zardari had formed a team headed by Sindh Minister for Education Pir Mazharul Haq to ensure floodwater was drained out from the two districts by Dec 23.

The committee has high-profile members like State Minister for Food and Agriculture Rafique Ahmed Jamali, MNA Dr. Talat Hussain Mahesar, MPAs Imran Zafar Leghari, Fayaz Ahmed Butt, Syed Ghulam Shah Jilani, Kulsoom Chandio, Rashida Panhwar and Dr. Sajeela Leghari, DCO of Dadu and Dadu irrigation engineer but nothing has changed on the ground yet. About a foot and a half floodwater is still standing in and around Johi, Mehar and Khairpur Nathan Shah talukas and all waterways fed by Johi Canal and Khuda Wah remain dismantled.

Mohammad Omer Jamali, a grower, expressed fear if the waterways were not repaired by Dec 15, growers would not be able to sow wheat in Johi.

He said that breaches Johi canal and MNV drain had not been plugged yet and floodwater from these breaches was flowing towards Johi.

MPA Kulsoom Chandio said that work on repair of irrigation network had started. Officials of irrigation department had been directed to drain out water from agriculture lands of Johi, Mehar and Khairpur Nathan Shah on a priority basis, she said.

She said that the committee was keeping an eye on the officials’ progress on a daily basis and sending reports to Sindh chief minister and president.

Engineer (irrigation) Habibullah Kabooro said that by Dec 23, 45 per cent floodwater would be drained out from the flooded area and efforts would be made to supply water to growers through Johi canal and its channels.

It was not possible to plug all breaches before the deadline but at least 20 per cent of the breaches would be filled and water would be released into Johi canal and its waterways, he said.