Sindh fully prepared to tackle rains, floods: CM Murad

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has assured the public that the province is fully prepared to tackle any eventuality amid flash floods and heavy rainfall. 

Speaking at a press conference after visiting the Flood Monitoring Cell, CM Shah said he had received updates from the commissioners of Sukkur and Larkana, as well as the irrigation minister and secretary, regarding the anticipated flood situation.

By 3 PM, 600,000 cusecs of water had entered the Panjand Barrage, and the flow could rise to 700,000 cusecs within the next 24 hours. Another 217,000 cusecs are gushing from Tunsa, prompting authorities to prepare for a combined inflow of 800,000 cusecs. The arrival of the flood wave has been delayed, with a peak now expected at Guddu Barrage on September 9.

CM Shah emphasized that evacuations are underway on a village-by-village basis. While many residents have already evacuated voluntarily, the government is actively guiding and assisting people. All evacuations are expected to be completed within 48 hours. 

He highlighted that elevated housing has been constructed in flood-prone areas based on previous experiences, adding commissioners have ensured all evacuation facilities are in place. Relief camps, health facilities, and cattle farms have been geotagged. 

He noted that heavy rainfall is unlikely in the areas above Guddu Barrage in the Koh-Suleman region, but rain is expected in Tharparkar, Thatta, Hyderabad, Karachi, Jamshoro, and Dadu. Karachi has already received above-average rainfall this year, and authorities are fully prepared to respond.
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Senior Sindh Minister and Provincial Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon said that 128,057 people from 167 union councils across 15 districts have been relocated to safe locations, with 6,288 more moved in the last 24 hours. 

A total of 39,576 flood-affected people have received medical assistance at 154 fixed and mobile health camps, including 5,772 treated in the past 24 hours alone.

He added that arrangements have been made to protect livestock. In the past day, 9,384 animals were moved to safe locations, bringing the total to 370,161 relocated so far. Additionally, 70,267 animals received vaccination and treatment in the last 24 hours, while a total of 878,796 livestock have been treated and vaccinated to date.

Sharjeel Inam Memon also provided water inflow and outflow figures for major barrages: at Tarimoo Barrage, 543,579 cusecs; Panjand Barrage, 598,948 cusecs; Guddu Barrage, inflow 394,859 and outflow 368,624 cusecs; Sukkur Barrage, inflow 324,000 and outflow 280,050 cusecs; and Kotri Barrage, inflow 244,283 and outflow 231,763 cusecs. 

He urged the public to cooperate with the government and avoid paying attention to rumours, stressing that collective action is vital to deal with the calamity.