HYDERABAD, June 23: Protest demonstrations were held in many localities of the city and Qasimabad talukas against non- supply of drinking water. The enraged protestors raised slogans against the authorities and burnt tyres to vent their anger.

Residents of Pinjra Pole, Islamabad, Odeon Cinema, Nishat Cinema and Makrani Paro took to the streets against the non- availability of drinking water. Hundreds of people of Qasimabad under the banner of Qasimabad Action Committee marched on streets and staged a protest demonstration.

They were specially critical of a law enforcement agency that had diverted water supply as a result of which the people of Sehrish Nagar were deprived of water. It might be mentioned that the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company had disconnected electricity to WASA's water and sewerage pumping stations as well as the Hyderabad Cantonment Board on June 21 due to non-payment of power dues.

Later, at the intervention of Sindh chief secretary Dr Mutawakil Qazi who assured Hesco that power bills would be paid within three days, power supply to the pumping stations was restored.

However, water has not reached different localities of the city as normally it takes at least two days to reach the consumers. It is expected that normal supply to all the localities of the city will be restored by Thursday if there are no further power break downs.

EDO: Executive district officer health Nazar Mohammad Junejo on Wednesday released the latest figures of patients who were admitted to government hospitals of Hyderabad, Jamshoro and Kotri and deaths reported in these hospitals due to consumption of poisonous water.

He said that from May 15 to June 23, 5,183 patients were treated and admitted to the government hospitals. He said that a total number of 38 patients had died in Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad, Shah Bhittai hospital Latifabad, government hospital Paretabad, government hospital Qasimabad, Lady Dufferin hospital Hyderabad and taluka hospital Kotri.

These figures do not include those patients who had died in private clinics. Four other patients had also died in private clinics and at homes due to the consumption of poisonous water released from the Manchhar lake into the Indus river.

WATER ROTATION PLAN: The superintending engineer, Baghar circle, irrigation department, has announced a water rotation programme for water channels in his jurisdiction.

According to the announcement, the Kalri Baghar Feeder upper RD-0 to 189 and its off-taking channels including Jherruck distributary (Sapa Wah), Tando Hafiz Shah distributary, M.R.B. link canal and the Link Canal RD-0 to 107 with its off-taking channels including Sonda distributary (Haji Wah and Ali Bahar Minor) will remain open from June 25 to July 1.

Similarly, Kalri Baghar Feeder lower RD-0 to 77 with its off-taking channels, Jam Branch, Thatta distributary (Sadabahar Minor, Allah Khai Minor, Ghar Massan Minor, Ghar Machhi Minor, Machhi Minor, Narichach upper, Doomani distributary, Khatian left and right, Poorandas distributary and Puricha Minor will also remain open from June 25 to July 1.