No practical steps were taken to drain out water despite several complaints lodged at the office of the deputy commissioner of Umerkot. - File Photo

MIRPURKHAS: Rain-hit growers have accused the officials of the irrigation department and district administration of Umerkot and a group of influential landlords of obstructing work to drain out stagnant rainwater from Lyari, Lolan, Toboi and other Dehs of Samaro taluka affected by heavy rains which lashed lower Sindh six months ago.

At least 43 villages and over 8,000 acres of farmland was still under knee-deep water, they said.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Aftab Kaimkhani, Jan Mohammad Bhurgari and Aleem Dal said the growers expected nothing from the district administration and irrigation authorities. No practical steps were taken to drain out water despite several complaints lodged at the office of the deputy commissioner of Umerkot, director of Nara canal area water board, managing director of the Sindh irrigation drainage authority, secretary of irrigation and commissioner of Mirpurkhas.

They said affected growers were unable to sow wheat and other crops and faced severe financial problems.

A number of proposals were made by the irrigation officials to drain out water but none of them was implemented because of alleged pressure from influential landlords.

They said they did not receive any help from police and rangers despite numerous requests made to them.