25 percent of Sindh’s flood-hit districts still inundated

Tossing aside claims of the Sindh Irrigation Department officials of completely draining out floodwater from the districts affected by monsoon rains last year, the provincial Relief and Rehabilitation Department – after a detailed survey of the on-ground situation in the flood-affected districts – has disclosed in its report that more than 25 percent of the flood-hit areas are still inundated.
Well-placed sources told Pakistan Today that the officials of the Sindh Relief and Rehabilitation Department have forwarded a report to the provincial chief minister pointing out that the people living in the flood-affected districts are passing through very difficult times due to the negligence of the irrigation staff in draining out floodwater.
The districts visited by the relief department included Badin, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Tando Allahyar, Benazirabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, Khairpur Mirs, Nosheroferoz and Dadu.
The sources said that while the irrigation department officials claim that floodwater in at least 98 percent of the affected areas have been flushed out, more than 25 percent of the areas are still underwater and there is a desperate need to drain the accumulated water to resume routine works.
The sources also claimed that the floodwater from the lands owned by influential landlords has been drained out but the lands belonging to the common people are still submerged. “The favourite people of government officers were given assistance in provision of Watan Cards and distribution of urea but the general public had to face all types of difficulties,” they said.
Quoting from the report, the sources said there is an urgent need to take necessary steps to improve the image of the government.
The report included a village-wise situation of accumulated floodwater in the districts, stating that in Dighri, Mirpurkhas there are many large pockets of stagnant rainwater in union councils (UC) of Kingrio and Soofan Shah and in Deh 170, while around 50 percent of the Pubban area is also submerged.
There are also large pockets of floodwater in various areas of Jhuddo including UCs of Jhuddo, Roshanabad, Ahori and in the Syed Noor Ali Shah village and around its vicinity where all houses collapsed during the natural calamity.
In Naukot also, there is an urgent need of dewatering through coordination of HESCO and SEEDA while the Dhoro Purano, which was meant for drainage of floodwater has been encroached, while there are breaches in the drainage which require immediate filling and restructuring.
Kot Ghulam Mohammad: Dudho Goth, Diyal Goth, Deh 269, 299, 300, 268 and 268-A in Sikiryari are still under rainwater up to almost two feet.
Sindhri: UCs Hingorno, Ismail Jo Goth, Phulahdiyun, Garhore Sharif and other areas of Sindhri are under the floodwater.
In Mithi and Kaloi areas of Tharparkar, people are compelled to live in relief tents due to rainwater.
Umerkot: floodwater still standing in areas of Atta Pali, Ali Bux Manglani.
Dhoro Naro: most areas of Dhoro Naro under water.
Kunri: rainwater still standing in various areas of Kunri including UCs Sher Khan Chandio, Bhustta, Padhuro Form and Chajrro and Tali, Nabi Sar.
Samaro: large ponds of rainwater in various areas of Samaro, like Pir Colony, City Colony, Meghwar Colony, Deh Kharoro, UC Padrio and other areas.
Sanghar: There are 54 UCs in Sanghar district and rainwater in 34 UCs like wise UC-1, UC-2, UC-Mayani, UC-Kandiari and UC-Sethar Peer UC- Chhutiaran, UC- Kahorar and Goth Dalail Shar, and Lal Hussain Mari Goth.