DADU, May 24: Many more people than reported have died because of gastrointestinal problems caused by drinking of contaminated water from the Manchar Lake over the last two months , Jhangara Union Council Nazim Syed Zahid Hussain Shah has claimed.

Briefing journalists on the current situation at the press club here on Sunday, he said that among the victims were fishermen of the Manchar Lake and surrounding villages of four union councils, Bubak, Jhangara, Chhinni and Channa.

He said that the Manchar Lake had been polluted by water of the Main Nara Valley Drain, creating health hazard for local people, including fishermen. Different fish species of the lake have perished. Birds are no less affected.

He blamed the health department for not taking any notice of the matter. He said that doctors were available only at hospitals and they did not visit the affected areas. He regretted that he had sent complaints to high officials of Sindh and federal health departments but to no avail.

Mr Shah observed that irrigation officials had released water from the Manchhar Lake into the River Indus through the Aral Wah due to coming monsoon season. He said that fishermen of Manchhar and local people used this water for drinking purpose as there was no alternate system to provide sweet water to the people.

He said that every season irrigation officials drained the lake's water into the Indus in August and September but this season they chose a wrong time. The Nazim said that poisonous water of pharmaceutical companies of Jamshoro and power houses had also polluted water of the River Indus.

He called for action against officials of departments concerned. He also appealed to international donor agencies and Dadu district, Sindh and federal governments to send special medical teams to the area and ensure provision of medicines, sweet water and food in affected villages.

When contacted, District Nazim Malik Asad Sikandar said that he had directed the EDO, health, Dr Maula Bux Jamali, to send teams of doctors and medicines to Manchar Lake's affected villages.

He said that medicines had already been provided at dispensaries and healthcare centres in Jhangara, Shah Hassan, Bubak and Bund Manchhar. Mr Sikandar said that the extension of the Right Bank Outfall Drain, being carried out by the irrigation department, was meant to drain salty and poisonous water of the MNV Drain from zero point of the Manchhar Lake into sea.

The DCO of Dadu said that the Zakat department had released funds to the health department for carrying out tests of Hepatitis-B and other diseases which had spread among fishermen.

RALLY: Residents of seven villages here the other daystaged a rally in Mehar town to protest against the disconnection of power supply to their villages.

They carried banners and placards inscribed with slogans against unscheduled load shading and issuance of inflated bills. They also raised slogans against the Hesco Mehar subdivision. The protestors marched on the main road and gathered outside the Hesco office. They ransacked office furniture and manhandled three Hesco employees.