KARACHI: Sindh province received unprecedented 1,100mm rainfall, 800 percent more than average in the six spells of the current monsoon so far, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stated while highlighting gravity of the calamitous weather that wreaked havoc across the province.
“According to estimates around 30 million-acre-feet water entered the province so far and now seventh spell of monsoon is around the corner”, the Sindh CM informed while sharing details with media here on Wednesday.
CM Shah pointed out that Sindh province had received 800 percent more rainfall than average as compared to Punjab, which received 52 percent more rainfall in this season.
He said Indus River while passing through Sindh divided the province in two parts and there was water on both sides of the river.
“Presently seven to eight million-acre-feet water standing in Kashmore, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kambar-Shahdadkot, Larkana and Jamshoro,” he said and added that they would drain out the water into the river, which would pass through Manchhar Lake. “This water will flow through the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) to discharge into the sea,” Shah said.
The Sindh chief minister also dispelled reports about “This or that Wadera is taking decisions,” saying these were misgivings. “All decisions are being taken by the Sindh Irrigation Department in consultation with stakeholders,” he declared. “If someone wants to talk with me over this issue, he is welcomed and I will answer all questions,” Murad Ali Shah said.
He said that the water level at Dadu-Moro Bridge has dropped by one foot between yesterday morning and today. “We would have faced more difficulties if the water of the river kept at the upstream,” he said. “We have opened some canals of Sukkur Barrage in a controlled manner,” he claimed and added some canals of Guddu Barrage have also been opened.
“We could not shut mouth of someone. Anyone tell me, where we have deliberately gone wrong. Not a single person can raise finger at the Sindh government,” he said, saying no expert has pointed out that the government did this or that mistake. “The Sindh government has taken decision during 2022 floods with consultation of the Irrigation Department,” CM Shah said.
The Sindh CM informed that hectic efforts were underway with support of the federal government to restore the railway track in all affected areas of the province.
“We are trying utmost to avoid drowning of any new area and water level is coming down”, he claimed, saying in view of devastation “we praying for no more rains.”
Talking about relief efforts, Murad Ali Shah said that the PDMA has delivered 175,933 tents, while NDMA has provided 10,853 tents to flood-hit people in different areas of the province so far. “The NDMA has also distributed 21,363 tents, while the Navy has distributed 2,586 tents,” Sindh chief minister said.
“Total 2,16,000 tents were distributed in the province till yesterday,” he added.
