THE recent monsoon rains in Sindh have broken all previous records. On the one hand, daily activities have been paralysed throughout the province and, on the other hand, dozens of people have lost their lives.

The entire province, especially Jacobabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Larkana, Sukkur, Ghotki and Khairpur districts, have been badly affected.

Shikarpur was once considered to be the Paris of Sindh. Devastating rains have also paralysed daily activities in Shikarpur district.

Communication and electricity in the city are disrupted, while schools have been shut since all roads and streets are inundated.

Owing to bad administration the rainwater is still standing in the city. A number of houses have collapsed in different areas.

The tall claim of the administration before the onset of the monsoon has now been exposed. In spite of heavy budgetary provisions, the North Sindh Urban Services Corporation  has failed to drain out rainwater from Shikarpur and other districts.

People are using boats to commute, passing through submerged rooftops and floating furniture. Meanwhile, dozens of people have been affected in the city and acres of farmland have been inundated, while 70 per cent of the rice crop in Shikarpur district has been destroyed.

The Sindh government has announced a relief package for rain-stricken people but those who suffered earlier in 2010 and 2011 have little faith in the government machinery, as they are still waiting to be rehabilitated.

DILBAR DETHO Shikarpur