DADU July 13: Villagers and political activists took out a procession in Khairpur Nathan Shah on Wednesday to draw the attention of the authorities to what they termed inordinate delay in repairing major parts of dykes in Mehar and Khairpur Nathan Shah talukas and poor quality of the work on Flood Protection and Suprio dykes and banks of Khuda Wah (canal).

The protesters marched from Mir Hassan Chowk to the press club where they held a demonstration.

Speaking on the occasion, Ali Hassan Janwari of the Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party said that the repair work on a major part of Suprio Bund, which was damaged in last year’s flood, had not yet taken off, and the work done on the dyke from Gozo to Fareedabad link road was not up to the mark.

He warned that without repairs the dyke could develop breaches in the coming flood season.

Soomar Chandio of the Awami Tehreek said that last year Khairpur Nathan Shah town was flooded by water gushing out of eight breaches in the banks of Khuda Wah but the breaches had not yet been plugged though monsoon was round the corner.

He alleged that senior irrigation officials were not taking interest in repairing and strengthening the banks of the canal.

Ali Hassan Gadehi of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz-B said that the flood-ravaged FP Bund and banks of the Main Nara Valley Drain needed to be reinforced from Khairpur Nathan Shah to Mehar.

When contacted, irrigation engineer Amjad Dawach said that the work on Suprio and FP bunds was proceeding satisfactorily. “About 95 per cent of the work has been completed and the remaining would be completed by July 15.”

Our Hyderabad bureau adds: A committee of the Sindh Progressive Nationalist Alliance, at a meeting on Wednesday, finalised preparations for observing a black day across the province if embankments of the Indus and banks of canals are not repaired by July 15.

The meeting formed committees to organise rallies in different districts. The meeting was held at the office of the Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party and was presided over by its acting chairman Hyder Shahani.