Continuous rains for more than 30 hours have wreaked havoc in the low-lying areas of Sindh. Families in Badin, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Jamshoro, Sanghar and other districts are still marooned in remote areas because the entire communication system has collapsed. The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), on the request of the district governments of Jamshoro, Badin and Tharparkar, have provided 16 speed boats, eight operating in Jamshoro and four each in the districts of Tharparkar and Badin.
People do not have access to get food items in these districts. A major problem faced by villagers in these areas is that they cannot find dry wood to cook their food. They people do not even have matches. The families have to travel a long distance to get food for their children. With hundreds of families still marooned, the situation is worsening by the day as there are no shops nearby for these people to buy daily-use items.
Every time a vehicle passes by, their eyes light up in hope that the people arriving might be bringing them relief goods. However, most of the time, these desperate villagers are disappointed. According to the reports compiled by the PFF teams, Sanghar residents do not have access to get food and potable water since the last one week and if rains continue, there might be an outbreak of deadly diseases there.
In only one union council Kanar, the rain has forced 25,000 people to shift to safer places. There are carcasses of more than 200 animals- buffaloes, cows, sheep, goats and donkeys – in the area. The reason these animal are dying is that there is shortage of fodder. More than 500 boats are anchored near local jetties in Thatta district, because fisherfolk are reluctant to move their vessels for fishing due to the rough sea.
Sitting idle at home has made the life miserable for fisherfolk. A large number of birds have also dead. The rains have damaged the entire infrastructure and communication channels in these areas. Electricity poles have collapsed causing power failure and suspending water supply in Sujawal, Mirpur Bathoro, and Jati.
16 PFF boats to rescue
