In the light of recommendations and suggestions, the natural paths of rainwater will be used to drain water from the rain-hit districts of Sindh into the sea, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said on Tuesday.
The provincial chief executive was presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House to discuss drainage of rainwater from the rain-battered areas of the province and streamlining the affected watercourses.
“Due to heavy rains, the people of the province, particularly in the 13 worst-hit districts, are facing immense hardships as there is water in and around the affected towns, cities and other areas,” said Shah.
According an official handout, the chief minister directed the officials concerned that rainwater must be drained from Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Jhudo, Shahdadpur and Tando Adam. He observed that water is rapidly being drained from Benazirabad and Badin and the situation there will become normal soon.
Shah also ordered that a long-term plan should be evolved to solve the issue on a permanent basis.
The chief minister said that obstacles should be removed from the natural paths of rainwater and if necessary, the assistance of Pakistan Army could be availed for this purpose.
He also instructed that the rainwater should not be wasted and reservoirs should be built under a scheme so that it could be stored for the Thar area.
Earlier, provincial Irrigation Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Irrigation Secretary Khalid Haider Memon, Brig Anas Asad of 5 Corps, WAPDA South (Water Wing) General Manager Muhammad Javed and former irrigation secretary Idrees Rajput in their reports highlighted the present situation in the rain-hit areas and the measures being taken to drain water from them.
They pointed out that the outfall drains of Phuleli Canal, Dhoro Puran and Spinal drain are the old natural paths for rainwater that have been affected by the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) constructed on the left side of the Indus River.
Digri and Jhudo towns are still submerged while rainwater in Umerkot has to be drained via Naokot to the Spinal drain.
“The first priority is to drain water from towns and second is to reclaim the lands for cultivation,” Idrees Rajput said on the occasion.
“The designed capacity of the LBOD is 11,714 cusecs while during rains, the flow was 14,000 cusecs,” he added.
