Murad prepares Sindh for heavy rains
KARACHI/Thatta/Sujawal/Badin/TM Khan Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that there was a prediction of heavy rainfall in the coastal belt of the province and Jati (Thatta) has received 52 mm of rain during the last three hours, that was why has he has embarked on an extensive visit to control the situation.
This he said while talking to media at different spots of Sujawal and Badin.
He was accompanied by provincial ministers, Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani, Jam Khan Shoro and MPA Mukesh Chawla. Provincial ministers- Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, Mohammad Ali Malkani and MPA Shah Hussain Shah received the CM in their respective areas.
Mr Shah said that the coastal belt of the province was expected to receive more rains. He added that the Khirthar mountainous Range has been receiving rainfall which has ultimately increased the water level in Manchhar Lake.
The chief minister told media that he has activated Irrigation department for moving necessary machinery to strengthen embankments of MNV drains and FP Bund.
To a question, the CM said that the storm water drains have their maximum capacity but when the water would exceed capacity they would over flow and inundate the nearby areas. “We have been cleaning nullas, outfall drains and hopefully everything we remain under control,” he said and added in case of any loss or damages, the affected people would be helped out.
BADIN: The CM visited the Karo Gunro Outfall Drain System at RD-128 where Minister Irrigation Jam Khan Shoro and Secretary Irrigation Zarif Khero briefed him by about the System.
The karo Gungro Outfall System is a significant drainage project, primarily designed to manage and dispose of excess water from agricultural lands, particularly of Tando Mohammad Khan, Badin and Sujawal Districts.
The CM said that the system aimed to prevent waterlogging and salinity, which were major issues in the region due to the high water table and poor drainage.
Secretary Irrigation told the CM that the outfall drain system consisted of 210 Main Drain, involving a Branch and Sub Drains network that collected water from the fields and direct it towards a Karo Gungro outfall drain, which eventually discharges the water into the Arabian Sea.
On the CM directives, the Secretary Irrigation to resolve the issues of outfall system.
During the visit, the CM inspected main roads of Badin city – Quaid-e-Azam road and Civil hospital road which were inundated.
To a question, the CM was told that the Civil Hospital Nullah was overflowing due to heavy rain. The CM directed DC Badin to ensure proper cleaning of the Nulla as soon as the rain is stopped.
Tando Mohammad Khan: CM Murad Shah told the media that he has sent Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro to Badin to inspect the LBOD. “The water level in the outfall drains is above normal, while the rivers are experiencing low-level flooding,” he said.
He added that his government, with the support of donor agencies, is constructing 2.1 million flood-resilient houses for those affected by the floods. “We are providing housing for 12.5 million flood-affected people in these resilient homes,” he stated.
To a question, Mr. Shah expressed concerns about the winding up of Utility Stores and Corporations. “Instead of withdrawing subsidies meant for the poor, the federal government should consider reducing the facilities provided to the elite,” he remarked.
The chief minister on his arrival at TMK was received by Bishop special assistant Qasim Naveed, MPA Aijaz Shah and others.
The CM at the start of his visit to the city went to the colony of flood affected people where the government has constructed flood resilient houses.
The residents of houses for flood affected people received the CM with the slogans of Jeay Bhutto and thanked him and Chairman PPP for constructing their houses on the alleviated position. “Today it is raining but our children are safe in our houses,” they told the CM.
The chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah during his visit offered condolence over the death of former PPP MPA Haji Amin Lakho with his son Sher Mohammad Lakho at his residence.
Earlier, the CM accompanied by his minister left Karachi to visit rain- affected districts of the province. At Quaidabad, Karachi, he inspected Malir River which was flowing normal.
He proceeded to Thatta along with his team of concerned officers. At Thatta everything was normal except the issue of water stagnant in the low-lying areas and the municipal waste laying along the road. The CM expressed his displeasure and directed the deputy commissioner to activate municipal administration and get the areas cleaned.
Mr Shah left Thatta and at Sujawal bridge he inspected the Indus River flow and by the time it started raining.
When the CM reached Badin it started Dow pouring heavily and continued till he reached Tando Mohammad Khan where it started again.