Another cut made to save Sehwan, Bhan Saeed from flood water

Jamshoro DC says the historical cities are out of danger after the cut while thousands have been disconnected

SEHWAN:

In a bid to save historical cities -- Sehwan and Bhan Saeedabad – a cut has been made near Karampur village to release the gushing flood water into the Indus River.

The irrigation department's officials, law enforcement agencies and deputy commissioner Jamshoro reached the spot.

Speaking to the media, Jamshoro DC Captain (retd) Fareedun Mustafa said, "Bhan Saeedabad and other areas are out of danger after the cut."

In order to save the historic cities of Sehwan and Bhan Saeedabad, a cut was made near the Karampur village to release flood waters into the Indus River.

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The government is trying to save the population of the area, he added.

The fresh cut in the Karampur’s village link road has disconnected the people of Talti, Bamba, Karampur and Bhan Saeedabad from Sehwan city. The main road, Indus Highway, was also submerged.

At least nine union councils of Sehwan Taluka have been affected by the cuts and breeches in the Manchhar Lake.

Also read: Mass migration of flood affectees towards Sehwan, Jamshoro begins

Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from the area Sikandar Ali Rahpoto said that nine union councils (UCs) have badly been affected. "Seven of them are completely submerged."

The decision to make a cut in the link road was taken after the visit of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

Mahesh Kumar, executive engineer of the irrigation department, who was also present at the site said: "Technically, it is the only way to reduce the flow of the flood water in the area as well as in the lake."

Earlier today, the mass migration of flood victims started in villages around Sehwan and Bhan Saeedabad towns, including Karampur, Bamba and Talti.

The majority of these people are moving towards Sehwan and Jamshoro, using private transport such as rickshaws, tractors and even motorcycles. Families, with whatever belongings and livestock they could save from the flood waters, are shifting to safer areas after spending days in inundated regions.

In some areas, with the help of the government, the villagers are trying to strengthen the dykes in an effort to stop the flow of water coming from Manchhar Lake.

The Sindh government had taken the plunge of breaching the Manchhar lake’s bank at various points in a desperate attempt to protect Sehwan and Bhan Saeedabad from flooding, displacing some 125,000 people in five union councils while trying to save over 300,000 others.

Also read: US to operate massive humanitarian air bridge for flood victims

Authorities in the Jamshoro district had alerted people to move out as gushing water from the burst embankments of the country's largest freshwater lake headed fast towards Bhan Saeedabad Taluka after inundating several union councils near Sehwan on Wednesday.

Sources told The Express Tribune that the district administration had asked the citizens to evacuate the areas.

Thousands were stuck and seen sitting on roadsides today, waiting for assistance as panic was starting to take hold amongst the populace.

Police have been deployed at various points to control the law-and-order situation. A large number of police officers from Karachi have also reached Dadu and Jamshoro districts after earlier protests by people in several cities and towns of Sindh. The protestors blamed the government for failing to come to their aid.