ISLAMABAD – The Flood Commission constituted by the Supreme Court on Friday submitted its interim report with the apex court on the damages caused by floods last summer, saying irrigation infrastructure in Balochistan suffered serious damage during the catastrophic floods.
After receiving the interim report, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry issued notices to concerned parties and fixed the case for hearing on March 28 before a bench already hearing the matter.
The commission pointed out that the damaged irrigation infrastructure in Balochistan had still not been repaired and it was creating major problems for the people of the affected areas, especially in Jaffarabad division, as water was not available for cultivation, even for human and cattle consumption.
During the field visit, members of the commission met flood-affected people in Dera Allah Yar. The commission also had an aerial view of the damaged infrastructure. It was pointed out to the commission that Kirther canal suffered major destruction during the floods and since it provided the bulk of the water to Jaffarabad division, its immediate repair was necessary to make the cultivation of Kharif crop possible.
On December 15, the Supreme Court constituted the four-member commission to probe into the issue of breach of dykes and unauthorised diversion of floodwater by influential people.
