BADIN: Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah said on Wednesday that Jati (Thatta) had received 52mm of rain in just three hours and there was a prediction of more heavy rainfall in the coastal belt of the province.

He was talking to media at different spots of Sujawal and Badin during a whirlwind visit to different districts to help control the situation. Accompanied him were provincial ministers Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani and Jam Khan Shoro, and MPA Mukesh Chawla.

He said the rainfall in the Kirthar mountain range had ultimately increased the water level in Manchhar Lake.

The CM told reporters that he had alerted the irrigation department to the situation and directed them to strengthen embankments of MNV drains and FP Bund.

In reply to a question, he said the storm water drains had their maximum capacity, but when the water exceeded their capacity, they would over flow and inundate the nearby areas. “We have been cleaning nullas and outfall drains, and hopefully everything would remain under control,” he said and added that in case of any loss or damages, the affected people would be helped out.

The CM visited the Karo Ghungro Outfall Drainage System at RD-128 where Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro and Secretary Zarif Khero briefed him on the system.

This drainage system is a significant project, primarily designed to manage and dispose of excess water from agricultural lands, particularly of the districts of Tando Mohammad Khan, Badin and Sujawal.

The CM said the system was aimed at prevent waterlogging and salinity, which were major issues in the region due to the high water table and poor drainage.

The secretary told the CM that the outfall drain system consisted of 210 main drains, involving a branch and sub-drains network that collected water from fields and directed it towards the Karo Ghungro drain, which eventually discharged the water into the Arabian Sea.

Mr Shah also inspected the main arteries of Badin city, including Quaid-i-Azam Road and Civil Hospital Road which were inundated.

Answering a question, he was told that the nullah at the civil hospital was overflowing due to heavy rain. The CM directed the deputy commissioner of Badin to ensure proper cleaning of the drainage facility as soon as the rain stopped.

In Tando Mohammad Khan, the CM told the media that he had sent Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro to Badin to inspect the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD). “The water level in the outfall drains is above normal while the rivers are experiencing low-level flooding,” he said.

He added that his government, with the support of donor agencies, was constructing 2.1 million flood-resilient houses for those affected by the floods. “We are providing housing for 12.5 million flood victims in these resilient homes,” he stated.

In reply to a question, Mr Shah expressed concerns about the winding up of the Utility Stores Corporations. “Instead of withdrawing subsidies meant for the poor, the federal government should consider reducing the facilities provided to the elite,” he remarked.

On his arrival at Tando Mohammad Khan, he was received by Bishop’s special assistant Qasim Naveed, MPA Aijaz Shah and others.

The CM at the start of his visit to the city went to the colony of flood-affected people where the government had constructed flood-resilient houses.

People there received the CM with the slogans of “Jeay Bhutto” and thanked him and the PPP chairman for constructing the residential facility. “Today it is raining, but our children are safe in our houses,” they told the CM.

During the visit, Mr Shah also offered condolence to Sher Mohammad Lakho over the death of his father former PPP MPA Haji Amin Lakho at his residence.

Earlier, when the CM left Karachi to visit rain-affected districts of the province, he stopped over at Quaidabad and inspected Malir River which was flowing normal.

Then he proceeded to Thatta along with his team of concerned officers where everything was normal except for stagnant water accumulated in the low-lying areas and the municipal waste thrown along a road.

The CM expressed his displeasure and directed the deputy commissioner to activate the municipal administration and get the areas cleaned. Mr Shah left Thatta and at Sujawal Bridge, when he was inspecting the Indus River flow, it started raining.

The CM reached Badin in heavy rainfall which continued till he reached Tando Mohammad Khan.

Provincial ministers Haji Ali Hassan Zardari and Mohammad Ali Malkani, and MPA Shah Hussain Shah received the CM in their respective areas.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2024