Published on: August 30, 2025 1:51 AM
In view of the anticipated flood situation in Sindh, an emergency meeting was held under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Auqaf, Religious Affairs, Zakat & Ushr and Focal Person for Downstream Kotri Barrage Flood Emergency, Syed Riaz Hussain Shah Shirazi, at the office of the Chief Engineer Kotri Barrage.
The meeting was attended by MNA Sadiq Ali Memon, MNA Tariq Ali Shah Jamot, President PPP Hyderabad Division Aajiz Dhamrah, Advisor to CM Jabbar Khan, MPA Dr. Sikandar Ali Shoro, Tanveer Haider Shah Shirazi, Madad Ali Shah Kazmi, Ghulam Nabi alias Nabi Baber, as well as representatives from civil society.
Also present were Chief Engineer Kotri Barrage, Commissioner Hyderabad Fayaz Abbasi, Deputy Commissioner Jamshoro Ghazanfar Ali Qadri, Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad, officers of the Irrigation Department including the Superintending Engineer Bughhar Circle and Executive Engineers, along with other officials of relevant departments. During the session, the Irrigation Department briefed Focal Person for Flood Emergency, Minister Syed Riaz Hussain Shah Shirazi, regarding the downstream Kotri situation and the preventive measures in place. The meeting emphasized effective steps for safeguarding public lives and property, and resolved that all concerned departments will remain on high alert to respond promptly to any potential threat.
Later, Syed Riaz Hussain Shah Shirazi, accompanied by the Chief Engineer Irrigation and public representatives, inspected the protective embankments of the Indus River. Speaking to the media, he stated that floodwater from India is flowing through Punjab into Sindh, and that similar to 2010 and 2015 the province is once again facing a flood situation. “At present, the downstream water discharge is 253,000 cusecs. All protective measures have been completed and the situation is under control,” he assured. He further explained that it would take 7 to 8 days for the floodwater to travel from Sukkur Barrage to Kotri Barrage, after which the situation will become clearer. The Minister cautioned that if the water discharge reaches 500,000 cusecs at Kotri Barrage, the riverine (Katcha) areas will not remain safe. However, he added that alerts have already been issued to surrounding populations and that comprehensive preparations are in place to deal with the flood emergency.
He further informed that at three vulnerable points including Sarjani and Monarki protective arrangements have been finalized. The Sindh Government, he emphasized, is fully prepared to provide every possible protection to the people.
