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Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am

Thousands to ‘celebrate’ Eid in the open Bridge in Dadu washed away

DADU, Sept 10: Hundreds of thousands of people were forced to ‘celebrate’ Eid in the open, tents and shabby camps after the worst floods in the country’s history threw them out of their homes weeks ago.

But the disaster is far from over and continues to bring fresh trouble. A metalled bridge on the Main Nara Valley drain, adjacent to the Manchhar lake embankment near Dal area in Sehwan taluka, was swept away by floodwaters on Friday.

A breach in a dyke near Maro Ja Tullah in Mehar taluka widened from 50 feet to 200 feet and discharged a huge flow of water into the MNV drain. But work to plug the breach could not begin because the place was inaccessible.

The water level in Manchhar was rising and eroding its embankment and flood protective dyke.

All five doors of Aral canal originating from the lake were opened on Friday to discharge water into the Indus.

An irrigation official said that level of the lake had risen to 116.2RL from 114.6 RL within a day.

Jamshoro District Coordination Officer Samiuddin Siddique told journalists that a final warning had been issued to the residents of Dal union council to shift to safe places, while people of Bhan Syedabad, Talti and Bubak had been asked to remain alert.

People of Dal area were moving towards Sehwan, Jamshoro, Hyderabad and Karachi. However, there was a shortage of vehicles in the area.

Residents of Bhan Syedabad started building an embankment around the town.

People of Johi town also continued building a ring embankment as a breach in a dyke at Mian Ji Kundi widened to 250 feet.

More than 50,000 people were marooned in a 40-km area between the breaches at Mian Ji Kundi and the Hammal lake regulator.

A breach had occurred near Allah Bachayo Jamali village, Johi taluka, three days ago.

Some people stranded in the Fareedabad area told Dawn that their lives were at risk if they were not rescued immediately.

Shamsuddin, from Allah Bachayo Jamali village, said people marooned in the area had not had food for three days and were cut off from other areas.

He appealed to the authorities to send boats, rescue teams and food.

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