KARACHI: Chief Mini­ster Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday took an aerial view of different protective dykes, including the Larkana-Sehwan (LS) embankment, and said they were not weak though vulnerable and hopefully would survive with constant efforts by Irrigation engineers and the district administration.

He along with provincial minister Taimour Talpur flew into Sehwan where he took an aerial view of different embankments, including Manchhar Containing (MC) Bund, MNV Bund, Johi branch, and LS Bund over River Indus.

Mr Shah said that these embankments were vulnerable, but irrigation engineers were monitoring the situation and working day and night on their strengthening. He hoped that their efforts in protecting Shewan, Mehar, Johi, Dadu, and Larkana would meet success.

He noted that the level of Manchhar Lake had recorded at 122.75 RL on Saturday while the level of its embankment known as MC Bund was 128 RL.

“Stone-pitching was under way but winds were so violent and causing wave-washing, therefore, more stones were required for pitching,” he said, and added that the material was being arranged.

The chief minister said that the continuous flow of water into Manchhar had increased its spread-up over a radius of 130 square kilometres. “In 2010, Manchhar had broken its banks when its level had reached 121.65 RL but then repair and strengthening works were carried out. Therefore. it had sustained pressure at 122.75 RL which was higher by 1.1 feet, he said.

Mr Shah said that currently, 16,000 cusecs from Manchhar were flowing into River Indus but the situation would turn better when the river would start accepting 30,000 to 40,000 cusecs from the lake.

He said that when the water level at Guddu and Sukkur would come down to 300,000 cusecs, the gates of the Sukkur Barrage would be closed to discharge Manchhar water into the River. “Right now, the Sukkur Barrage is flowing at 559,998 cusecs, therefore, the River Indus is not accepting Manchhar’s water in much quantity,” he observed.

Mr Shah said that there was no benefit of applying a cut to Manchhar bank because its water, instead of flowing into the river, would form another lake within the area. Therefore, it was advisable to wait for decrease in the level of the river and by that time we should strengthen the MC bund.

The CM, while taking an aerial view of Johi branch and LS Bund, said that Khairpur Nathan Shah had been inundated but proper vigilance and monitoring was being done to avoid any breach in Johi branch to save Dadu.

He added that the Ring Bund of Mehar was vulnerable but not so weak to develop a breach. “The irrigation experts are working on further strengthening the Ring Bund to protect Mehar and Johi,” he added.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2022