Water reaches Indus Highway, threatens to cut off Dadu

Author: Web Desk

Overflowing water from Pakistan’s largest freshwater lake has reached the Indus Highway between Sehwan and Dadu, cutting off the area, officials reported on Tuesday.

The Manchhar Lake embankments were cut twice more on Monday after the solitary breach on Sunday failed to lessen water pressure.

The flood level at the lake, which covers 200 square kilometers, reportedly rose to 126 reduced levels (RL), prompting irrigation officials to decide to break open the lake from reduced distances (RD) 50 and 52. The cut was made at RD14 a day ago.

According to villagers and irrigation department officials, Dadu will be cut off from Sehwan shortly as water from Manchhar Lake is likely to inundate the region. According to residents, around 50% of the inhabitants have already been moved.

Water reaches Indus Highway, threatens to cut off Dadu

“People are fleeing their homes as the lake level rises,” said Zahid Hussain Memon of Bagh Yousuf Memon hamlet, which is located near Sehwan city.

The Indus Highway has already flooded around Khairpur Nathan Shah, making driving to Larkana from Karachi, Hyderabad, and Dadu difficult.

The lake’s spilled water entered and drowned five union councils (UCs): Jaffarabad, Talti, Channa, Aarazi, and Bubak. The floodwaters also reached Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah’s hometown Wahar and Sehwan airport.

Manchhar deluged Jhangara and Bajara rural communities on Saturday, one of which is the birthplace of the chief minister’s late father, Syed Abdullah Shah, who previously served as the province’s chief executive.