Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier today announced a massive Rs.1 billion relief package from the federal government for the rehabilitation of flood-affected areas of Sindh.
Nawaz, who was on the visit to flood-hit areas of the province, while addressing in Gothki said the grant from the federal government was the right of the affectees.
“I truly understand the pain and damages suffered by those affected and will personally monitor the situation and takes measures to mitigate them,” he said.
The prime minister visited Qadirpur dyke in Ghotki District and took an aerial view of the flood affected areas. PM Nawaz was briefed about relief activities by the chief minister, irrigation officials as well as Sindh chief secretary.
Upon his arrival, the premier was received by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.
With the rising level of water in the River Indus, almost all the Katcha area between the Guddu Barrage and Sukkur Barrage and 50 per cent Katcha areas between Sukkur barrage and Kotri barrage have come under floodwater.
As many as 83 villages in the Katcha areas in three talukas of Jamshoro have been submerged. The villages – including 28 in the barrage’s upstream taluka of Sehwan, 25 in Manjhand taluka and another 30 in the downstream Kotri taluka – have an estimated population of 9,820 people.
Of the over 150,000 people inhabiting these Katcha areas, over 50,000 have been shifted to relief camps, established at various protective bunds. There is, however, a constant complaint about lack of amenities at the camps.
The rising water level at Sindh’s barrages is putting great pressure on the protective bunds, especially the Machko bund near Ubauro, Shank bund near Ghotki, Ulra Jagir bund near Pir Jo Goth, Moria bund near Naudero and Akil Agani bund near Larkana.
Meanwhile, army personnel have been deployed at the Khairpur-Larkana bridge as the structure is under tremendous pressure. The army is also engaged in efforts to fortify the Shank, Moria and Akil Agani bunds.
Reports from Larkana suggest that the fast flowing waters of the great Indus river are also putting pressure on Moria bund, where the army has been deployed as the bund is declared vulnerable.
