THATTA: A small dam in this district is likely to be built to store rainwater and prevent heavy flooding as part of the massive rehabilitation plan currently under way across the province.

This was stated by Pakistan Peoples Party MPA from PS-78 Thatta constituency Hali Ali Hassan Zardari here on Tuesday after his meetings with several delegations representing labourers, farmers, fishermen and other segments of society.

The lawmaker said that rehabilitation of the civic infrastructure destroyed by the recent unprecedented floods was being carried out on a war footing to normalise routine life in the province, adding that the coastal areas of Thatta district was also witnessing restoration and uplift work at a fast pace.

He pointed out that five metallic roads badly damaged by the floods, as well as sea intrusion, in this constituency had already been rehabilitated.

Says rehabilitation of flood-hit infrastructure under way on a war footing

The PC-I for the rehabilitation of the entire civic infrastructure of Thatta’s coastline has been put up to Sindh government for approval.

In phase-I, he said, the construction of a long route between Gharo and Mehar via Ghorabari, Udasi, Baghan, Jangisar and Vur had been completed.

Efforts are also under way to strengthen protective bunds around Ketti Bandar, Kharo Chhaan, Ghorabari and other coastal towns and villages for which stone-pitching is being carried out. This, he added, would also help protect villages and lands from abrupt sea intrusion and high tide.

MPA Zardari informed the delegations that a feasibility study was being conducted to look into the possibility of building a small dam to store rainwater for human consumption and other purposes. The idea, he explained, was to divert the old natural route of Indus at the Ochto outfall drain to ensure flows of freshwater into the proposed dam. This reservoir would not only meet the drinking requirement of the growing population of this area, but would also help save the entire coastline from being hit by drought, he added.

The MPA said that the Sindh government was taking all possible measures to normalise the routine life in Thatta district and broaden coverage in the education and health sectors, besides creating job opportunities for the people of coastal areas.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2022