Deputy Commissioner Sujawal Shahriyar Gul Memon has declared a “flood emergency” in district Sujawal in the wake of alert order issued by the Sindh Provincial Disaster Management Authority for floods in areas Kotri downstream.
According to an official source, water is constantly rising, putting the low-lying areas of District Sujawal under dire threat of inundation. The gauging station has warned of a surge in the water levels at Kotri Barrage after which pressure would develop on the protective tykes and embankments raised along the main water channels of District Sujawal and Thatta. Talking to local media persons at District Commissioners’ Office Shahiriyar Gul said that they were busy identifying sensitive areas that are under instant threat of flooding and that work to strengthen and revamp dykes had already commenced.
“We have set up an emergency cell at the DC office to have a vigilant look at the situation and meet any untoward situation,” said Gul and claimed that relief operation was well underway across the district. All officials concerned have been asked to remain alert and remove all kinds of obstructions in the main waterways.
He warned that influential landlords would not be allowed to take advantage of the situation.
Talking about arrangements made by the district administrations, he said that officials of the irrigation department had been deployed at the major protective dykes of the district to inspect the situation.
Inhabitants of the at-risk areas have been advised to move to safer localities, the DC said and added that the district government along with soldiers of the Pakistan Army is taking steps to ensure complete rehabilitation of the flood-affected.
Many areas of Near Jhirk town of District Thatta submerged late Wednesday night causing panic among the residents.
The areas near the Indus River have been moved to higher lands.
