MITHI, Sept 2: DCO Dr Aftab Ahmed Memon has sent letters to senior member of the Sindh Board of Revenue and the Sindh relief commissioner requesting them to declare Tharparkar district, except its seven barrage villages, a calamity-affected area.

He said the Sindh government should move the federal government for launching relief initiatives in non-barrage areas and to mitigate miseries created due to famine-like situation.

He said the area did not receive sufficient rains, causing drought-like conditions in the last three months.

The DCO said crops sown by growers have dried at initial stage due to inadequate and erratic rainfall in respective areas. He said harsh conditions were likely to cause exodus of drought-affected Tharis along with cattle to barrage areas in search of food and fodder.

The DCO urged the entire district except seven barrage Dehs of the Mithi taluka be declared calamity-hit.

He said relief initiatives including the provision of subsidized wheat and fodder be launched at the earliest and recovery of all kinds of government dues be postponed.

He pointed out that drought conditions persisted for the second consecutive year in Tharparkar and were likely to deal a deadly blow to socio-economic fabric of rain-fed belt, provincial and federal governments be moved to launch special aid package from zakat and Baitul Mal funds.