CM reviews flood preps during whirlwind tour

Murad Ali Shah receives briefing on different bunds in anticipation of rain-induced flood

LARKANA/DADU/KAMBAR/JAMSHORO:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday visited the critical zones at Moria Loop Bund, Manchar basin and other drainage basins to monitor the precautionary and response measures for the anticipated Indus River and hill torrent floods.

He inspected key areas, including Moria Loop Bund on the Indus River, located 40 miles downstream from Sukkur Barrage on the right bank in Larkana District. He also reviewed the entire Manchar basin flood protection and drainage system, spanning from Hamal Lake to the Aral Head near Manchhar at Sehwan.

In his whirlwind tour from Larkana to Sehwan, CM Shah, along with Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, reviewed the condition of the irrigation system on the right bank and the impact of the ongoing heavy downpour which could further erode the under-repair bunds in the post-2022 flood scenario.

Irrigation Minister Shoro and Irrigation Secretary Zareef Khero briefed the CM on the condition of Morio Loop Bund. This stretch of the bund serves as the first line of defence and is situated on the right bank of the Indus River. Following the 2023 flood, it has been identified as particularly vulnerable due to the river's extended curvature towards the bund, which has resulted in increased whirling and erosive activity.

Considering the alarming condition of the bund, the Irrigation Department on the instructions of CM Shah executed emergency work on a war footing by deploying heavy earth moving machinery and 150,000 feet of boulders were stocked at the bund to face any untoward situation that occurred during this flood. At present the position of the bund is quite safe and stable to face fears of future floods.

The Suprio Bund, which was constructed in 1932, serves as the second line of defence against hill torrent runoff, protecting the cities of Taluka Mehar and KN Shah from RD-0 to RD-95 (19 miles). It has since been extended by 13.4 miles to safeguard Warah, Gaji Khuhawar, and KN Shah. The chief minister stressed the need for proper pitching and strengthening of the bund to enhance its effectiveness.

The irrigation secretary said that after the 2022 floods, the extension work of Suprio Bund was carried out via Nara Distry/Khuda Wah Distry from RD-0 to RD-47 Taluka KN Shah district Dadu in Rice Canal Division Larkana, which has been completed. Now the total length of Suprio Bund stands at 41.8 miles. Presently, the bund is quite safe and stable to face future floods.

The chief minister also visited Hamal Lake at zero point in Kambar Shahdadkot district and received a detailed briefing.

Hamal Lake is situated 58km from Larkana city and 40km from Qambar town. The length of the lake is 25km and the width is 10km and has a surface area of 2,965 acres parallel to Flood Protective (FP Bund). It is a freshwater lake, and the main source of water is the streams that come from the hill torrents of Khirthar Range.

CM Shah pointed out that whenever the water level increases at Hamal Lake, the water is drained out towards Manchar Lake from the Head Regulator of MNV Drain (RBOD-I) at RD-346 of FP Bund and it flows towards its final destination - RD-0 Manchar Lake at about 115km away from Hamal Lake.

The irrigation secretary informed the CM that the Zero of Gauge at the Head Regulator of MNV Drain is RL-130.50. During the 2022 floods, it was recorded at 18.4 feet (RL-148.90). During this monsoon season, the RL recorded at the Head Regulator of MNV Drain at 3.3 feet equivalent to RL-133.80 and the situation seems normal.

The chief minister was told that the Main Nara Valley (MNV) was constructed with the chief purpose of assuaging pressure on the FP Bund during floods. Stretching from RD-0 at Manchhar to RD-346 of the FP Bund, it has five gates, each 10 feet wide, designed to channel water from FP Bund into Manchhar Lake.

Under the administrative control of the Irrigation Department, the Design Discharge of MNV Drain stands at 1,500 cusecs. In 1994, the MNV Drain was administratively handed over to WAPDA, which was redesigned at the system of districts Larkana, Kamber-Shahdadkot & Dadu. The MNV Drain is officially known as RBOD-I.

As the MNV drain falls under WAPDA, CM Shah directed the irrigation secretary and the chief engineer of the Sukkur Barrage right bank to prioritise emergency maintenance by addressing any breaches in the MNV to prevent overflow and protect the communities in Qambar-Shahdadkot and Dadu districts from potential damage. The Flood Protective Bund (FP Bund) was constructed in 1932 as a part of Sukkur Barrage Scheme, the CM was told. It is situated near the foothills of Khirthar Range on the eastern side of RD-0 of Manchhar Lake, the entire length is 119.70 front line and 52.4 mile second line of Flood Protection Bunds. The objective of FP Bund is to protect the command area of Right Bank of Sukkur Barrage and its infrastructure.