The torrential rainfall hits costal area of Sindh Pakistan

international | miscellaneous | news report Wednesday August 09, 2006 18:15 by Qasim Rajpar - Daily Awami awaz Karachi qasim_rajpar at yahoo dot com

The life is in doldrums.

Karachi: heavy rains in Sindh disturb life in coastal areas of Badin and Thatta and thousands of acres of ready crops of vegetable damaged by heavy rains and sea intrusion in the coastal areas of Sindh.

village in coastal area of thatta

Karachi: Almost all parts of Pakistan’s southern Sindh province have been receiving heavy rain showers for the last week. The rain has severely disrupted the routine life of the coastal belt of Sindh; Karachi, Thatta and Badin.

The disruption range from prolonged electricity breakdowns increased the deteriorated condition of already ravaged roads and streets of the Karachi. On the whole, nonetheless, the rain has become source of happiness by bringing the agreeable weather, it has equally added to the worries of common citizen.

Losses:

This is what the city of Karachi is always expected to suffer after such showers, but what needs more and prompt attention is the awful disruption suffered by the poor coastal communities of Karachi. In other words the worst sufferers of the Karachi population, in the backdrop of the rain, are the people of Gabo Pat UC-8 and Mari Pur UC-6 of the kiamari Town.
The villages of these UCs include Mari Pur, Sher Mohammad, Singho, Abdullah, Haji Ali, Mubarak Ghoth and Tikri village, Chashma Ghoth, Rehri Goth, Dabla Mohalla, Pun Mohallh and Sache Dina Muhalla

These villages are always at the risk of sea-water-intrusions. Due to rain-water pressure the Mubarak Singho Dam has broke out and inundated the villages. It can safely be argued that if the rainfall continues the sea will intrude into the settlement areas. The recent rainfall, (which is still on), has severely disrupted the routine life of the people of theses villages besides damaging the almost eighteen houses of the coastline, ten of theses houses are situated in the Tikri villages while remaining all houses are at the same risk. The inundation of the houses of the villages is the major threat to their life and property, that is, the walls of theses mud-and-straws-made houses, (few of them are cemented), are extremely venerable to the erosion and ultimame plunging down.
The men, women and children are busy putting the rain water out of their houses, even the do not bother to sleep at nights. The men are not going for work because they realize the fact that their houses are dangerously susceptible to erosion therefore they had better stay at their respective homes. (Needless to say that the fishing activity is quite impossible during the rainfalls). The risk of damage caused to property and life by sudden fall of a house is further augmented by the electrical wires.

The cooking has become an agonizing experience for the women. One important consideration should be that the suffering of these people is not going to be ended with the rainfall stops, but it just a starting. Because 1) the breadwinners are away from their work and obviously the families suffer economic set-back. 2) Even after the rain the houses needs repair work and for it money is required. 3) The people, especially children are developing a high tendency of being caught in diseases, (this also occurs during the rainfall). On the whole the population of these villages is under constant threat of property and life loss during the recent rainfall.

One of the reasons of the inundation of theses villages is the illegal occupants’ dwellings and factories, which intercept the rain water coming from mountainous row adjacent to the area (near Hawks Bay). The water then enters into the villages of kiamari town and obviously making them more venerable.

Government efforts:

Given such a soul-searing situation of the coastal villages of the Karachi, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum consulted the UC Nazim of Mari Pur and visited the villages. While taking into consideration the expected damage the UC Nazim was suggested to break a local road so that more water does not enter the villages. The Nazim took initiative and did the same.

Role of PFF:

While the PFF activists continuously helped the villagers in breaking the impeding road and also helped the much vulnerable households in getting the rain water out. PFF also immediately informed the government including local body government. But no effort has been taken by the government to ease the worries of the poor coastal people hitherto.

Coast of Thatta:

Since 29th of July entire costal belt of Thatta has severely been hit by the heavy rainfall disrupting routine life and damaging property as well as all agricultural crops. The rainfall continues without any halt. Given this situation it can safely be anticipated that there would be more losses, hence the situation demands urgent relief initiatives.

Effected areas:

All villages of District Thatta including Tehsils K.T bander, Kharochhan, Jati and Shah Bander have been severely affected due to heavy rain fall & high tides.

Names of K.T bander Villages:

Urus Mallah, Rahman Jarejo, Muhammad Hussain Kehar, Rehman Gugo, Yaroo Mallah, Pir Hanif Shah, Khamsio Khaskheli, Soomar Mallah. Dilawar Sholani, Rahim Sholani, Moosa Katyer, Hashim Jarejo, Saleh Mallah, Suleman Mallah, Jangi Sir, Muhammad Rahim Mallah, Pir Yaqooub Shah, Ali Muhammad Shah,Ishaque Dablo, Kharion, Abdullah Dablo, Bachoo Mallah, Hamzo Mallah, Nehal Shaikh, Moosa Mian, Khuda Bux Sohbhani, Raza Muhammad Barch, Ishaque Barch, Baghan, Abubakar Katyar, Abdullah Mallah, Mohammad Mallah, Anwer Jat, Abdul Razaque Jat, Aloo Mallah and many others.

Names of Kharochhan Villages:

Lanyari, Mehmood Jat, Ishque Dablo, Karo Dablo, Tharewari, Sajanwari, Pario Khan Perozani, Mir Muhammad Maheri, Haji Shah, Murad Prehri, Jan Muhammad Jat, Ahmed Batar, Papoo Khaskheli, Haji Manjhi Otho, Natho Gambhir, Haji Hashim Sholani, Mohammad Jat, Ghulam Hyder Shah, Gul Muhammad JAt, Yar Muhammad Bharch, Yar Muhammad Sholani, Atherki, Haji Noor Ahmed Jat, Hameed Khan Sholani, Haji Ali Bux Murghar, Gul Muhammad Parhyar, Hassan Shah Burhanani, Ali Patni, Ismail Katyar.

Jati Villages:

Zakria Themore, Qadir dini Borhio, Usman Mallah, Abdullah Mallah, Haji Qasim Thaheem, Umer Thaheem, Malir Themore, Mamoo Bhalai, Peer Bux Thaheem, Khalifa Majeed, Haji Siddique Thaheem, Ibrahim Racho, Ali Muhammad Racho, Rabo Themore, Abdul Rehman Themore, Abdul Rehman Dhandhal, Ishaque Themore, Usman Dhandhal, Haji Dhandhal, Basoo Themore, Baran Abad, Haji Gul Muhammad Mandhrio, Begunah, Mukhraj Malia, Deh Hasani, Deh Sarji, Urus Temro, Ramzan Wangai, Basrio Wangai, Hassan Samejo, Amin Khaskheli, Mohammad Khan Pathan, Laloo Themore, Qasim Themore, Agedino Borio, Jurio Themore, Talib Racho, Soomar Racho.

Shah Bander Villages:

Gul Muhammad Oplano, Ismail Oplano, Raboo Simgan, Umer Patial, Haji Kabul Kehar, Muhammad Kori, Jeand Zangejo, Kodyaro, Jongo Jalbani, Allah Jurion Mandhrio, Ali Hassan Jat, Essa Mumbrani, Usman Jat, Haji Baqadar Jat, Haji Abdul Ghani Jat, Umer Jat, Sobhan Shah, KAleri Goth, Suleman Kehar, Rajan Shah Mori, Aloo Dal, Allah BAchayao Kehar,

Losses:

Due to heavy rain fall & high tides DPP Team arrived in the villages and with mutual consensus team has measured the losses, there are all villages occupied by tides & Rain water, Most of the homes have completely been demolished by the tides & Rain Water. There are 4775 acres agriculture crops came under the water in Taluka KT Bander, 1332 acres agriculture crops in Taluka kharochhan and 30000 acres agriculture crops in Taluka Jati. The crops include different vegetables, Bananas, Betal Leaf and Rice. There are 50 sheds of poultries and also 1000 sheds of betel leafs which are fully demolished and also 25 Boats have been missing along with 30 people in this heavy rain fall.
The situation depicts a very grim picture. The people are starving due acute shortages of food. The condition of health and hygiene is very awful as well. The people can not afford to sleep at nights fearing any abrupt onslaught of heavy rainfall which is always on the cards.
The entire villages of Union Council Kar Malik of Jati Tehsil have been inundated due to the breach occurred in the LBOD China Band. One death has occurred in the area. The family had to struggle to find the place of burial of the dead body. More deaths are feared in case of any late in the relief services.

Role of PFF Team:

Having received information regarding heavy rain fall and high tides at Baghan Disaster emergency center, in the early morning Pakistan Fisher folk Forum team immediately arrived at the effected areas PFF Team took immediate action and informed the media including electronic and print media regarding the situation caused by heavy rain and high tides and the resultant losses. Team provided first aid and food to the effected communities and relief items include prepared-food and medicine. The PFF team also gathered information about the losses and then shared with media for the further support of Government, but unfortunately there has been no efforts taken by the elected representative and other government officials. PFF team continuously stayed at effected areas and also have been playing vital role with the cooperation of community members to relive the worries and problems of effected communities the team arranged for food items, clothes, and bed sheets for the effected communities. The affected people were taken to the safer areas.

Line Department meeting:

PFF team arranged emergency meeting with concerned line departments for the quick support of Government. Pakistan Fisher folk Forum team met with District Coordination Officer, EDO health and live stock. Team members shared the problems with Government officials as well as they emphasized for the positive and immediate response of Government. Following issues were discussed with officials,

1. Heavy rain fall & High Tides water drain system
2. Arrangements for Food and Drinking water for community
3. Arrangements for the different disease vaccine to the community
4. Arrangements for the disease vaccine to animals

Line department officials especially DCO replied that they have already announced emergency in the district and they are trying for the required support of community.

Coast of Badin

Almost all villages of Union Council Bhugra Memon and Ahmed rajo of Taluka Badin and Golarchi, District Badin.

Names of Villages

Kandri Mallah Village, Rafique Mehran Poto, Ramzan Shah, Haji Hashim, Chhuto Mallah, Mian Usman, Gul Mohammad Lund, Jhanjho DAl, Ismail Bhatti, Master Nao, Haji Tharo Lund, Ahmed Lund, Ghazi Lund, Molvi Haji Ahmed Mallah, Khamoo Mallah, Kandero Mallah, Khan Mohammad Mallah, Allah Rakhio Jat, Misri Mallah, Allah Yar Mallah, Faqeer Mohammad Mallah, Gaji Mallah, Keti Mallah, Tayab Mallah, Haji Bachal Mendhro, Haji Jaro Mendhro, Allah Bachayo Mallah, Natho Mallah, Haji Hajam Mallah, Shaikh Karhio,

Losses:

Due to the Breach to left bank out fall drain (LBOD) several villages have inundated by the LBOD-water accompanied with and rain water. The overall situation is very much alarming. The people of these villages are forced to evacuate their respective villages. The evacuation efforts are going on. More than 1000 acres of land has come under the water. The inundation of the houses of the villages poses the major threat to their life and property, that is, the walls of theses mud-and-straws-made houses are extremely venerable to the erosion and ultimate plunging down.
The entire agriculture; crops of cotton and rice including tomatoes, chilliest have totally been annihilated. The people are dire need of food, drinking water and medicine. The losses are feared to increase in case of late in immediate relief action. On the whole the life of the people of the coast of Badin is doldrums.

domesetic life in coastal area