8 UCs submerged in Johi as people return to Sujawal

SUKKUR: The breach in FP embankment at Mian Kundi in Dadu district widened to 145 feet, submerging eight union councils of the Johi sub-district.

There was fresh exodus as water gushed into 20 villages of Dadu district and the swollen Manchar Lake threatened to inundate those parts of the province that have so far escaped the disaster. The military was busy carrying out a rescue operation to evacuate people stranded in Johi, Khairpur Nathan Shah and Mehar sub-district.

Meanwhile, flood water from the breach in MS dyke near Sujawal reached Jati and inundated more villages. However, the water has begun to flow towards the sea. This breach had flooded Sujawal and numerous towns and villages where water level has begun to recede. The road from Sujawal to Chohar Jamali and commercial centres in Jacobabad and Shahdadkot were reopened. Several residents of Sujawal began to return home despite the fact that electricity and water supply are yet to be restored.

In Thatta, fresh rains lashed the city and continued intermittently, creating panic among flood-affected people sitting without shelter in Makli,  Jhimpir and other places. More rains have been forecast for the next two days.

Water level in barrages

The water level in Kotri Barrage was constantly receding but remained in high flood. According to the control room of the Irrigation Department, water inflow at Kotri Barrage was 0.59 million cusecs and outflow was 0.56 million cusecs.

A flood wave of 0.42 million cusecs was passing through the Manarki Bund in Thatta district and another wave of 0.49 million cusecs is passing between Bhanot and Mathiari.

During the last 24 hours, water rose by 15,000 cusecs in Guddu Barrage while in Sukkur Barrage, water receded by 13,000 cusecs. The water level in Guddu Barrage has increased from 0.3 million cusecs to 0.32 million cusecs while outflow is 0.305 million cusecs. Water inflow in Sukkur Barrage was 0.277 million cusecs while outflow was 0.235 million cusecs.

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2010.