SUKKUR: Speakers at a peoples’ assembly have urged departments concerned to beef up monitoring mechanism at the provinces’ barrages and stressed the need for integrated collaboration bet­ween metrological department and irrigation depart­ment to control riverine flood.

They were speaking at “Peoples’ Assembly on Sindh’s strategy for monsoon rains” organised by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Bhittai Social Watch & Advocacy (BSWA) and Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, at Bangul Khan Chandio village in Kotdiji taluka on Monday, according to a press release.

Darya Khan Chandio, the Kotdiji assistant commissioner who presided over the event, said that Kotdiji revenue department was highly vigilant to face consequences of upcoming monsoon rains in 2024.

Timely communication had been made with various line departments to mitigate adverse effects of monsoon rains and floods in the area. It was duty of line departments to protect lives of people and their livelihoods, he said.

Nisar Hussain Chandio, ex-chairman of Bapho union council, shared the experience of monsoon rain and flood in the area in 2022 and stressed the need for devising a contingency plan in future.

He said that with the help of locals, relief, rescue and rehabilitation operation was carried out, houses were constructed and de-watering process was completed.

Tahzeeb Chandio, social activist, talked about importance of social cohesion in society for the promotion of peace and tolerance and said that it was their collective responsibility to promote tolerance, cooperation and understanding during the time of trial.

Khadim Hussain Mirani, executive director of BSWA; Mohammad Saleem Veesar, sub- engineer SCARP and tube-well division Ranipur; Dr Ameer Ahmed Jamro, taluka health officer Kotdiji; Aijaz Ali Solangi, chairman of Bapho UC; Sajid Ali Sonuo, member of Khairpur district council; Zakir Hussain, Mohammad Ali Buriro, social activist, Prof Nadir Hussain Kerio, Riaz Hussain Soomro and others said that climate change had adversely affected the area and there was need for climate justice.

The speakers recommended that monitoring mechanism of barrages be beefed up, collaboration between metrological department and irrigation department be integrated to control the riverine flood, the embankments of SCARP’s drains be observed properly and de-silting process be expedited. Moreover, uninterrupted electricity supply to pumping stations be ensured and alternative arrangements of solar and generators be made available, they said.

They said that medical cover and medicines be provided to all dispensaries, BHUs, taluka and district headquarters hospitals and fully equipped ambulance service be provided to all union councils.

They said that maternity home should remain active, old waterways be restored so the flow of rainwater or flood did not continue uninterrupted.

The Rescue 1122 services may be extended to the taluka level and the emergency cell be established at all taluka levels dully monitored by the assistant commissioner concerned, they said.

They said the price control mechanism be devised to control price hike of food items and other relief materials. The towers of cellular companies’ service must continue to work in the event of any eventuality, he said.

Timely veterinary services for livestock be provided in flood-affected areas, de-silting of sewerage lines be undertaken in all municipal and town areas. The crop insurance policy in Sindh be introduced so losses of crops be compensated which might occur during rain or flood, they said.

They demanded construction of new SCARP drain adjoining Bapho UC and suggested the remaining construction work on the houses initiated by SRSO be completed before rain.

They said that the chairman of union councils should contribute to emergency plan and relief activities by utilising their allocated funds.

A large number of people of the area, notables, civil society activists and media persons attended the assembly.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2024