HYDERABAD: Khairpur Nathan Shah, which has been inundated for weeks, finally got some reprieve on Thursday as the water level started to recede, taking the gravitational path towards Indus River.

As water from Manchhar lake receded, a marked reduction was witnessed in the water levels in Khairpur Nathan Shah and Johi.

Sindh Special Secretary Irrigation Jamal Mangan confirmed that the water has receded by around one foot in Kharipur Nathan Shah and two feet in Johi.

Suprio bund, towards the west of Khairpur Nathan Shah, was breached at four points after floodwaters from upper Sindh and Balochistan entered the channel.

Residents protest against 3-day power suspension; Manchhar inflows concern officials

The breaches also threatened Mehar and Johi; however, the latter remained safe after locals fortified a ring embankment around the city.

But even as Manchhar lake continues to recede, officials are still concerned about inflows as water available in different pockets around the lake is now making its way into it.

According to Mr Mangan, as per estimates, around 181,000 cusecs of wa­t­er was entering Indus river thro­ugh four cuts in the Larkana-Sehwan dyke.

“Once water recedes through gravitational flows pumping stations at Ghar, Mehar and Khairpur Nathan Shah will have to be activated to ensure dewatering in Khairpur Nathan Shah,” he added.

Calling it a positive sign, Mr Mangan disclosed that Mehar Main Drain and Khairpur Nathan Shah Drain were also accepting water flows, further easing pressure on the city.

Meanwhile, residents of Johi staged a sit-in on Thursday at Naka Chowk against Sukkur Electric Supply Company as power supply to the city has been cut off for the last three days. Residents told Dawn over phone that one of the poles carrying a transmission line which connects the city with the grid fell near Ghulam Hussain Gadahi village due to strong winds on Monday.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2022