THE worst floods since 1929 have devastated the lives of many people, who have lost their homes, livestock and standing crops in Faridabad, Dadu district.

Thousands of people have been displaced. This poor rural population is incapable of surviving without outside help. There are many Union Councils where they have been unable to provide relief in Mehar taluka of Dadu district.

There is still some pressure of water on Faridabad and its surroundings owing to the overflowing of the Hamal Lake from its spillways at the main Nara Valley drain, posing a threat to Faridabad as well as to Dadu.

A 24km main road from Faridabad to Mehar is under water, most roads linking flood-hit areas have been blocked and bridges have been either washed away or damaged. There is a shortage of food items and medicines.

Waterborne diseases such as gastroenteritis, skin and eye infection, malaria fever, chest infection have spread. Owing to the shortage of medicines, people are facing a great problem in the treatment of many common and treatable diseases.

The post-flood scenario is threatening because there are shortages of food, milk, pulses and other products that could further increase prices of essential items. At this point in time, access of flood victims to basic needs is still a challenge.

Government agencies have disappeared while donor organisations and NGOs are also conspicuous by their absence. The needy and helpless people have been waiting for food etc under the open sky.

It is very necessary that food, water, and milk for children, as well as medicines for old people and women, are arranged on an emergency basis to save lives.

RAFIQUE MUSTAFA ANNASI
Faridabad Mehar Dadu

Judicial commission

WE must appreciate the decision of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to set up a 'judicial commission' to investigate as to how breaches were formed in the dykes of the province.

I hope the commission will also investigate the formation of a breach in Ghotki district, Sindh, which rendered at least 40,000 people homeless, as reported in a section of the press.

I also advise the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to reconsider his earlier decision of not setting up a 'judicial commission' in Sindh, as breaches occurred in Torri, bringing a disaster of monstrous proportions and making millions of people homeless.

Against the breach at Torri, former prime minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali has filed a petition in the High Court, alleging that a hole was made in the dyke to save the Shahbaz Air Base in Jacobabad, whereas outgoing US Ambassador Anne W. Peterson had denied this while addressing a press conference in Quetta.

I appeal to the Sindh chief minister that a quick and timely decision is required to save the Manchhar Lake in Dadu district. He should not forget that the late decision taken by the administration has led to the inundating of not only Khairpur Nathan Shah but also other towns in Sindh.

MOHAMMAD KHAN SIAL
Karachi