Emergency declared: Pat Feeder closure triggers water crisis
PHOTO: STOCK IMAGE
As the mercury hovers around 45 degrees Celsius, Dera Allah Yar, one of the hottest districts of Pakistan has declared a water emergency.
“Pat Feeder Canal, the sole water supply source for the parched district is shut for repairs from April 1 to June 30 leaving thousands of people high and dry in blistering heat,” the head of the Dera Allah Yar local government Shah Nawaz said.
Addressing a news conference, the chairman of the Municipal Committee demanded immediate measures by Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch, Chief Secretary Saifullah Chattha and Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Nasser Khan Janjua. “We are facing a terrible crisis and have water for only 10 days,” Shah Nawaz said.
Meanwhile hundreds of people protested against the water shortage in Suhbat Pur. They said, people of Suhbat Pur, especially children, are facing hardships due to the water shortage. “We are compelled to buy a bottle of water for Rs50 which unaffordable for the people of the impoverished,” one of the protesters said.
They urged the provincial government to resume water supply from Pat Feeder.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2015.