THE situation at S.M. Bund Mile 40/6+350 near Bhorti town in Naushahro Feroze along the Indus River is extremely alarming. For the last two years, people have been giving voice to their concerns regarding the poor maintenance of bunds by the Sindh Irrigation Department, but all such attempts have been ignored by the officialdom prevailing in the province. The contractor failed to complete essential repair work during the dry season. Now, with heavy water flow in the Indus, there is a serious threat of breach because the bund is dangerously weak.

Though the relevant minister visited the site and assured everyone that everything was fine, conditions on the ground tell a different story. Locals claim that stones placed along sensitive points are being removed and transported away in the con-tractor’s trucks. Besides, stone supply from Kot Bungalow has stopped due to delayed payments. Even engineers admit that funds have not been released, and that has stalled crucial work.

This negligence has put lives and properties at risk. The government must urgently release funds, ensure strict monitoring, and take permanent measures to strengthen all vulnerable bunds along the Indus before a disaster strikes.

Muhammad Hashim Memon
Naushahro Feroze

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2025