KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said province has received around 500 percent more rainfall than its monsoonal average and “situation is more critical than floods of 2010-11”. Murad said average for season has been between 150-200mm of rainfall across province.

Addressing a press conference in Sukkur, he stated that “Gravity of situation could be realised from fact that Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded 355 mm of rain on August 19 in Padidan Town of Naushero Feroz district, while Guddu Barrage was flooded”. “We are facing a more critical situation as compared to 2010-11 floods and another heavy spell of rain is coming tomorrow. However, we can deal with this catastrophic situation.” CM Murad, who has been visiting flood-affected areas for past two days said almost all districts of Sindh were badly affected and that he would personally visit every district to monitor situation. Responding to a question about floods in coming days, he said it depended on weather conditions but as of now there was no threat of more floods. “I recently visited Guddu and directed Irrigation Department to properly monitor river’s embankments. Department has set up a checkpoint every half a kilometre to monitor situation and prevent any breach”, he said.

Commenting on infrastructure losses in district Sukkur, CM said at least 4,377 houses were damaged and 14 people lost their lives. “I am receiving a more detailed brief on situation, but so far around 19,200 people have been affected and 112,377 acres of standing crops have been damaged in district,” he said. PPP leader Khursheed Shah and Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Shah were also present.,  CM claimed that he had received information on negligent officers who did not respond to urgent calls during rains and that all of them would be removed from their posts. He reiterated that strict action would be taken against officials found neglecting their duties.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 23 2022

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