LARKANA, March 9: The city may face another catastrophe of the like if hasty measures were not taken to fend off the danger looming in the event of increased water inflow at downstream Sukkur from 21,000 cusec to 40,000- 50,000 cusec daily by May. Points in need of instant attention are speedy construction of stone apron on Akil-Aghani dyke, deflecting the direction of River Indus to its old course and provision of enhanced security to labourers, contractors and in transporting construction goods to wherever repair work were being carried out. Monsoon season was only two months away and the amount and pace of work do not tally with each other.

These and other apprehensions were voiced by city traders and people living near the flood protective embankments.

President, Larkana Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bashir Ahmed Paryal Shaikh said why the work had not been expedited although it was predicted that the extraordinary rains and snowfall last winter were bound to increasing water flow in Indus in summer which eventually would fall on weak and vulnerable dykes.

President, Federation of Traders Associations Larkana (FTAL), Tarique Nazir Shaikh and former president Chemists and Druggists Association Larkana expressed their apprehensions over slow-paced work and approaching monsoon. This, they said, would lead to compromising on work thus exposing lives, property, crops and farm animals to perils of all sorts.

The ill-will in reinforcing the dykes is apt to putting Larkana at the fore of disaster, added Senior Vice-President of the Federation of Traders Associations Larkana (FTAL), Aslam Shaikh.

He warned of complete shutter down strike if robust construction was not undertaken regarding the flood protective embankments.

It was amazingly difficult for the scribe to surmise the rationale of bringing in 100 trucks loaded with stones when a state consultant Idrees Rajput accompanied by the Sindh Irrigation Secretary Mohammad Rafiq Memon visited the dyke on Monday. However, this correspondent could find only 15 such vehicles when he again visited the place on Wednesday.

President, Sindh Chamber of Agriculture Larkana chapter, Siraj Rashdi was of the opinion that at least 300 trucks should unload stones daily so as to expedite the pace of work for completing construction of 50 feet apron by the end of May.

He termed weakness of dyke as a disaster-in-waiting and any slackness is sure to submerging the city, ruining thousands of acres of guava orchards, besides causing vast devastation.

The dumping of 100 stone-laden trucks daily for construction of 50 feet apron at Akil-Aghani dyke was not sufficient as it needed to be doubled, said an Irrigation official on the condition of anonymity. He said that 102 trucks were unloaded on Monday and only 97 on Tuesday.

Not only present direction of the Indus is shifted to the right bank its striking at site, too was at 90 degrees which experts and locals say is quite a dangerous situation.

The Technical Committee's proposed construction of T-shaped spur and 10 studs, which if completed in time will deflect the flow of Indus to its former course near Ismael ja Pir, said the official.

An accountant of a contractor Nazir Ahmed Solangi said that around 110 to 125 trucks were being dumped daily at the site. He said that presently work was being carried out in daytime only but it could be stretched to night if ample security was provided.

Truck drivers from Rohri were reluctant to journeying in the night as only three days back they were deprived of cash and cell phones and thus were making only two trips in 24 hours, said a contractor's munshi.

Rashdi endorsed the idea of deploying Rangers at the site for providing security to people busy in reconstruction drive.

Residents of village Akil called for strengthening police post of the area.

Syed Ibrahim Shah, Sajjada Nasheen at the shrine of Sufi Ainul Haq Rizvi residing near village Paroo Bhutto close to Akil-Aghani bund said that this being a highly sensitive point needed extra care and not just filling the damaged spot with stones and building an apron, as these surely will not sustain future pressure on the dyke.

He also proposed deflecting river's direction and constructing two spurs, immediately. He asked the government to fulfil its commitment of releasing more funds for the purpose.

With only two months away for flow of water to increase in Indus, it was clear the corrupt elements will not let the work get accomplished in time, he alleged.

However a source in the Irrigation Department was satisfied over the progress of work and called for increasing the number of trucks from 100 to 150 per day.

The present 21,000 cusec flow at downstream Sukkur will increase from 40,000 to 50,000 cusec daily by May, and an increase in pace of work was sure to completing the designated apron work in the stipulated time, said the sources.