KARACHI, July 3: Expressing concern over government indifference towards the threats coastal villages are exposed to due to monsoon conditions, local fishermen said they are facing a grave danger and many villages could be inundated if no emergency measures are taken to repair and strengthen the protective bunds.

Though met officials have not forecast any cyclone or the development of an unusual weather system in early July, local fishermen are apprehensive, particularly in view of the June 5 devastation, and fear that a sudden strong wind system could develop and subsequently create storm-like conditions.

“Our seasoned fishermen have predicted that strong high tides or a storm would develop from July 7 to 10. The waves, they say, would be much bigger in size as compared to the June 5 high tide and could flood all the villages along the coast since the government has taken no initiative to strengthen or repair protective bunds,” said Sami Memon, a representative of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF).

He further said that 1,200 coastal villages faced the threat of direct flooding while the rest were also vulnerable.

“The protective bunds in Mubarak Village, Abdur Rehman Goth and Shah Bunder are quite old and need to be strengthened while the 3km long bund in Rehri Goth has been badly damaged many times. In the aftermath of the June 5 devastation, the bund has fallen apart,” he remarked, adding that though the town administration had tried to fill in the huge gaps with sand, the bund required proper repair. “The sand will be washed away by high tides so there is a need for proper repair. Besides, there is a dire need to construct a drainage outlet first and then make a protective bund. The Rs100 million announced by Naib Nazim Nasrin Jalil for the bund’s repair would be wasted if a drainage system is not developed alongside.”

Commenting on the monsoon conditions, chief met officer Dr Mohammad Riaz said: “At present, a weather system has developed at Gujarat’s coast, which is experiencing light rain. But it won’t have any effect on us. Though we are not experiencing any unusual weather pattern these days, nor is there any possibility in the coming days, a sudden change can never be ruled out. The wind circulation is usually rough during the monsoon period, which we consider normal.”