KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced plans to restore old waterways to manage flood water through natural gravity systems, addressing aftermath of 2022 floods and ongoing climate change impacts.

Talking with Ambassador of Netherlands Henny de Vries, he emphasised importance of reviving natural waterways to enable efficient rainwater disposal. "This initiative aims to ensure that rainwater is disposed of naturally, mitigating risk of future flooding."

Meeting underscored need for international cooperation and support in tackling environmental challenges.  He emphasised need to strengthen canal system, irrigation network and drainage system in response to floods of 2010, 2011 and 2022, in order to mitigate heavy damage from flash floods or riverine floods.

Ambassador de Vries expressed her support for initiative and discussed potential areas of collaboration between Sindh and Netherlands in water management and climate resilience.

CM said that government was working to restore natural waterways so that flood water could be disposed of in its natural gravity de Vries said that Dutch Agriculture Bank was interested in advancing loans for agriculture development.

She added that flood-resilient crops were needed for ongoing climate change era.  CM thanked Ambassador and said that his government's Investment department would contact Dutch Embassy and discuss modalities for agricultural support.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 12 2024

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