Floodwaters surge towards Dadu and Johi

KARACHI: Authorities on Monday were racing to protect Johi town and Dadu city and 360,000 residents from surging floods, as the nation struggles to cope with its worst natural disaster in living memory.

“The situation is serious in Johi town and Dadu. We are taking all-out measures to save them from ravaging floodwaters,” Provincial Irrigation Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo told a news agency.

“The water is 20 kilometres away from Dadu city but we cannot rule out a serious threat to this city,” Dharejo said.

“We are making all efforts  to save Dadu and Johi,” he added.

Dadu and Johi are about 320 kilometres north of Karachi and officials fear the waters will breach protective embankments unless they are quickly strengthened.

“Things are getting serious, we have employed all possible resources on the embankments to save the remaining towns and villages of Dadu district,” Dharejo said. District coordination officer Iqbal Memon said Johi was more at risk from the advancing floods.

“The floodwaters are fast heading towards Johi town after inundating most parts of Khairpur Nathan Shah and Mehar towns and several surrounding villages in Dadu district,” he said.

“For the past two days, we have been employing all available means to strengthen the protective embankments around Dadu and Johi but the threat still remains,” he said.

About 80 percent of the Johi’s population of 60,000 had already fled to safer areas. “The people of Dadu city should remain vigilant for any serious situation that could come across,” he said.

Advancing floodwaters continue to threaten towns in Sindh, where 19 of its 23 districts have been deluged, displacing more than 2.8 million people, according to provincial authorities.

Meanhwile, four villages and standing crops over 200 acres came under water, when a 60-foot breach occurred in Islam Minor situated near Syedpur, between Daharki and Mirpur Mathelo on Monday morning.

According to reports, a 10-foot wide breach occurred in Islam Minor early Monday morning, which widened to 60 feet due to the tremendous pressure of water. As a result, four villages including, Moula Bux Mako, Mohammad Khan Chandio, Jameel Kalwar and Saleh Mohammad Gurgej have been inundated. Standing crops of rice, cotton and sugarcane spread over more than 200 acres have also been submerged.

Water enters Jacobabad villages

Floodwater released from the Tori dyke continues to wreak havoc in Jacobabad district. Gulab Mari village near Garhi Khairo has been surrounded by water, due to which more than 250 residents of this small village are stranded.

Confirming the incident, EDO Revenue Jacobabad Munawwar Ali Mithyani told The Express Tribune that the villagers don’t want to leave their homes and have requested food supplies. “The district administration with the collaboration of Pakistan Army has made arrangements for air dropping food.”

Meanwhile, the water level at Kotri has started receding but high flood situation still prevails at the barrage.

According to the control room of the irrigation department water inflow at Kotri barrage is over 669,000 cusecs while outflow is over 647,000 cusecs.

Water level at Manarki dyke in Thatta district has also receded and was recorded at 550, 000 cusecs.

On the other hand, Kot Almu breach has still not been filled, and 80 per cent of Sujawal city is under four to five feet of water.

Chohar Jamali’s towns of Ladiyown and Chahcha Jan Khan are in danger of flooding and people have started evacuating.

According to a daily report issued by Federal Flood Commission, the River Indus at rest of the locations and all other rivers, including Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej were flowing normal. High floods at Kotri Barrage are expected to continue for the next four to five days which can result in inundation and riverine flooding in low lying areas in the Districts Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin and adjoining areas along both sides of River Indus.

AFP (Additional reporting by Sarfaraz Memon in Sukkur)

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2010.