Parched: Mismanagement leaves Sukkur Barrage gates high and people dry

It failed to take action even though it was well aware that a shortage could occur.

SUKKUR:

The North Sindh Urban Services Corporation (NSUSC) has failed to make arrangements for the uninterrupted supply of drinking water to citizens, even though it was aware that the annual closure of the Sukkur Barrage for repair work would cause shortages.

On January 6 every year, the engineers raise all the gates of the Sukkur Barrage and release water downstream. The closure usually continues till January 20. During this period, the gates of the barrage as well as the canals which emanate from it are oiled and greased. The floor of the main barrage is also repaired.

About two weeks ago, the chief engineer responsible for looking after the barrage had written a letter to the authorities and informed them about the closure. He also requested the NSUSC to make alternative arrangements for the supply of water to the people. But it was only when the water level in the reservoir dropped to very low that the organisation jumped into action and made alternative arrangements.

In a press release issued on Monday, the NSUSC spokesperson, Munim Domki, said that a multi-pronged and comprehensive plan had been chalked out in order to maintain the fair distribution of water to the citizens during the closure. The organisation has built a make-shift jetty at Bakhar Island, where three motors are being used to pump water to the Bandar Road jetty through a 700-foot-long water channel.

The statement also said that the supply to the areas of Darzi Muhalla, Gopang Muhalla, Waseer Mohalla, Agha Badaruddin Colony and Brohi Mohalla will be restored from Tuesday. It said that the water supply from the Islamia reservoir would be restored by Monday. However, no substantial steps have been taken yet and people are still struggling to get drinking water. Many of them are relying on the hand pumps installed in the low-lying areas of the city.

A similar situation developed last October, when citizens were deprived of water for more than one week. At that time, the NSUSC had claimed that it had made arrangements to meet such challenges in the future - especially during the closure of the barrage.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2012.