HYDERABAD: Almost all open drains are carrying peak flows to be disposed of into Pinyari (old Phulelli) and new Phulelli canal of Kotri barrage ahead of meteorological department’s forecast of heavy rains coupled with urban flooding.

Apparently, the disturbing point perhaps is that both canals are having peak discharges from the barrage, too, for their command areas which could pose a problem to empty open drains in canals easily.

Over half a dozen open drains pass through the old city area before they enter Pinyari and new Phulelli canal that pass through old city areas. Canals receive wastewater mixed with sewerage and poisonous water of tanneries, slaughter houses besides municipal waste only to contaminate both freshwater bodies.

Old Phulelli or Pinyari supplies water in Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad Khan and newly-created Sujawal districts while new Phulelli feeds areas in Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad Khan and Badin districts to meet drinking water needs and farmland requirements.

Pinyari canal is having a flow of 10,930 cusec and new Phulelli 17,145 cusec on Monday against respective designed discharges of 13,800 and 18,8225 cusec. Both canals pass through old city areas and entire untreated domestic waste enter these canals. Pumping stations are established at canals to lift drains’ water.

Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) Municipal Commissioner Mohammad Shahid said drains had been completely desilted by the HMC only in Ramazan. There would be no problem in clearing rainwater in case of heavy rains, he said.

According to HMC’s health officer Dr Imtiaz, all gates of canals are closed presently because canals are having peak flows and that’s why drains’ water is being lifted through pumps to be disposed of in canals. He expressed the hope that once canals’ level drops during rains, drains would have natural gravitational flows.

The district and divisional administrations have asked the Kotri barrage authorities to reduce flows of the two canals so that wastewater could easily be released into the canals. The barrage authorities are reported to have told them that they would reduce flows but in a phased manner. They have assured the administration that they would cooperate to deal with any situation relating to drains and heavy rains as best as possible.

“Pinyari canal’s gauge can be reduced by half feet because rice cultivation is under way in its command area and if the level is dropped by two to three feet as recommended by the administration, there will be an outcry from farmers of other districts,” said an irrigation source. Currently, Pinyari is having a gauge level of 21.7ft against its peak level of 22ft.

Covered walls of drains that pass through Liaquat Colony, Goods Naka, Capital Market, Guru Nagar, Odean Cinema etc., are completely broken at places thanks to heavy encroachments by residents.

Inhabitants of the areas keep their livestock on drains’ slabs and all these drains are filled with every kind of garbage. Currently work in the Capital Market of glass bangles is under way to desilt drains.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2016