Warning issued: Red alert declared in seven districts surrounding Thar

Rehabilitation department secretary Roshan Shaikh says this is a preventive measure taken by the government.

KARACHI:

In an effort to avoid the Tharparkar tragedy from happening in other areas, the Sindh government issued a 'red alert' warning in seven other districts feared to be struck with the drought next.

The notice was issued as a preventative measure and all scheduled leaves of government employees working in health, agriculture, wildlife, livestock and relief and rehabilitation departments in the area were cancelled till further orders. The notice was issued by the deputy commissioners in Umerkot, Khairpur, Sanghar, Badin, Thatta, Sijawal and Ghotki.

According to the relief and rehabilitation department secretary, Roshan Shaikh, this is a routine exercise and only a preventive measure taken by the government. "These districts partially fall in the desert or are located near it, therefore we have already taken a measure to cope with the situation." The deputy commissioner of Umerkot, Nadeem Memon, said the situation in his district was also worrying.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2014.