CM Murad Orders Erection Of Protective Dykes At Mehar, KN Shah, Johi.

KARACHI -- Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed Irrigation and WAPDA authorities to keep strict vigilance on Main Nara Valley Drain (MNV), Indus Link, and Johi branch by strengthening their embankments to protect the main cities of Sehwan, old city of Mehar, Johi and portions of Dadu.

He issued these directives during his visit to Manchhar, Dadu, and Johi on Monday. He was accompanied by provincial ministers, Nasir Shah and Mukesh Chawla. MNAs Rafiq Jamali, Sikandar Rahpoto, MPA Shajila Leghari and others joined him at Sehwan and Dadu.

Irrigation Superintendent Engineer Shafaqat Wadho briefing the chief minister at Manchhar Lake said that the hill torrents from Balochistan which has the catchment areas of Sibi, Bolan, Khuzdar, and other cities have developed four to five breaches in Flood Protective (FP) Bund starting from Chaki, as a result, water has started entering the areas of Shahdadkot, Kubu Saeed Khan, and some adjoining settlement. Mr Wadho said that the main Ghar Drain was flowing inward, thereby posing danger to Gaji Khuhar.

The CM was told that the breaches that occurred in Suprio Bund last night at RD52 and RD 12 were exactly opposite the towns of Mehar and K N Shah. He said that the Johi branch was flowing over its capacity; therefore, it was given a relief cut to protect the main towns.

The chief minister said that the breaches in FP Bund mean its water was gushing out to the MNV drain starting from Hamal Lake. He added that this water would bring floods in KN Shah, the Western side of Mehar and Johi. Therefore, the chief minister directed Irrigation authorities to erect an embankment at Johi and Mehar- at Bypass so that these towns could be protected from the flood.

During the presentation and discussion between the Irrigation experts and the chief minister, it was concluded that the water would ultimately end up in Manchhar which was already in a precarious condition with a water level of 120.75 RL.

The chief minister said that the River Indus was already in high flood; therefore, it won't accept water from the drains. Mr Shah directed the Irrigation department to start strict vigilance of Indus Link to save Sehwan and its villages.

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