QUETTA, Nov 18: The Balochistan government is spending Rs140 million on the construction of five delay-action dams in different areas of district Lasbela to save rain water for irrigation.

According to official sources, these five dams include Kener Dam, Gujri Dam, Bambri Dam, Sukkan Dam and Gagod Dam. Some flood protection schemes were also under implementation at Porali River in the district, they said.

The Kener Dam would be 2,400-feet long, 51-feet high and 3,800-acre feet water could be stored in the dam. The dam would cost Rs29 million while the other important Gujri dam would cost Rs25 million and it would have 3,752 acre-feet water storage capacity.

Another delay-action dam is under construction in Bambri area of Lasbela district that would cost Rs25 million. It would help store flood water. The dam would irrigate 48-squire mile area and would also help in resolving potable water problem.

Work is also in progress at the Sukkan delay-action dam that would be completed at a cost of Rs14 million. The dam would help in rising under-ground water level that is depleting day by day in the area due to severe drought-like situation.

The government was also implementing the Gagod flood water scheme at a cost of Rs17 million. This scheme would help improve water channels and increase cultivation area and agriculture production in the district.

Sources said the government was spending Rs20 million on a flood protection scheme at Porali River. The work is in progress and would be completed till June next year.

Many other dams were also under construction in other areas of Balochistan as the federal government has provided huge funds for these projects to resolve the water shortage problem being faced by various areas of the province.