Flood situation: Water level starts receding at Guddu barrage, increases at Sukkur barrage

SUKKUR:

As predicted, water level at Guddu Barrage started receding and more than 25,000 cusecs downfall was recorded there, while water level at Sukkur barrage is constantly increasing, due to which the vulnerable points of the protective embankments are under tremendous pressure.

According to Sukkur barrage control room incharge Abdul Aziz Soomro, the upstream at Guddu Barrage on Wednesday was recorded at 550,890 cusecs while the downstream was 548,340 cusecs. At Sukkur Barrage, the upstream was 538,150 cusecs and downstream was 528,525 cusecs. At Kotri Barrage, the upstream was 182,513 cusecs and downstream was 182,013 cusecs.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah visited the Ulra Jagir bund in district Khairpur on Wednesday. He was reportedly dissatisfied with the pace of work on the strengthening of the bund. On Tuesday evening, he visited Guddu Barrage and Tori bund, where he told the media that all the protective bunds are strong enough to withstand the flood.

On Wednesday, he revisited Qadirpur loop bund and Shank bund, where he expressed displeasure over the poor performance of the irrigation officers. He said the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited was responsible for the strengthening of the Shank bund but it had failed to do so, adding that the matter will be taken up in the Council of Common Interests meeting. He said that irrigation officers involved in corruption will be dealt with once the flood is over.

Representing the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), Water and Power Minister Abid Sher Ali visited Sukkur on Wednesday and went to Ali Wahan bund, located around 15 kilometres away from Sukkur, to inspect the protective bund.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30^th, 2015.