KARACHI, July 2: The first spell of medium flood is likely to pass through Sindh from July 9 to 11, when the discharge at the Guddu Barrage is expected to be 400,000 cusecs. The Sindh government besides setting up a flood warning system, which will be operational round the clock, has directed the district coordination officers to inform people that the Kachcha areas between Guddu-Sukkur Barrages would be fully inundated and Sukkur-Kotri would be partially inundated.
This was stated by Sindh Irrigation Minister Sardar Nadir Akmal Khan Leghari, who was addressing a press conference at the New Sindh Secretariat on Saturday, at the conference room.
Giving details about the Indus flow at Guddu, Mr Leghari said the withdrawal in all canals at the three barrages was about 133,000 cusecs while the intensity of discharge in Indus between Guddu and Sukkur was within 350,000 cusecs and 350,000 cusecs which came under low flood and expected by July 10 while discharge at Kotri would range from 150,000 cusecs to 100,000 cusecs which was normal up to 200,000 cusecs.
He was asked if army services would be acquired to meet the situation, the minister said that the army had played important role in meeting the flood situation as such joint presentations were made with the army and at the moment was not required during the first spell.
To another question he said as a pro-active policy planning flood management exercise had been carried out from last one year which indicated that from Guddu to Kotri there were 137 vulnerable points including 78 on the right side and 59 on left side of the river. Out of 137 points 48 were more vulnerable.
Besides, asking the DCOs to inform the Kachcha area people to remain alert and prepare for shifting to safe places the minister said night patrolling was also ensured.
He said that the Sindh irrigation system, which was over a century old, was prepared on cropping intensity whose production now was increased over 50 per cent. This increased area brought under cultivation was consuming more water from the share of tail enders.
Mr Leghari said that the Sindh irrigation system comprised over 4,300 modules, 1,500 channels and 14 canals.
He said the system needed desilting and last year the budget for the desilting work was only Rs80 million which he got doubled to Rs160 million and even this was not sufficient due to years of neglect as the entire system required desilting.
In reply to another question he said that after three to four years dry spell it was the first wet year and necessary steps were being taken to strengthen protective bunds by stone pitching work on more vulnerable points.
Mr Leghari said efforts were being made to stop theft of water and whenever such cases were being brought in his knowledge due action had been taken to mitigate the problem.
WARNING CENTRE: A Flood Warning Centre has been set up in the office of the Director Regulation Irrigation and Power Department, Government of Sindh, in room no 249, 1st floor Sindh Secretariat Building no II, Tughlaque House, Karachi, adds PPI.
Regulation Directorate staff will be available at telephone number 9211505 round the clock daily including Sunday and other holidays.