Farmers say that irrigation department officials should be informed about the rain and flood situation so that they can respond effectively.
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Originally known as Lloyd Barrage, it was considered a feat of engineering when it was completed in 1932, with the remarkable capacity to discharge 1.4 million cubic metres of water per second. |
Hyderabad: The Sindh Abadgar Board, a farmers’ association, encourages Sindh irrigation authorities to effectively combat the challenges of climate change, which have emerged in the form of floods and unusual torrential rains.
In a board meeting chaired by Mahmood Nawaz Shah in Hyderabad on Monday, it was emphasized that the Irrigation Department should review its preparedness to deal with floods and heavy rains.
It was only a year ago that a gate of the Sukkur Barrage overflowed despite lower than normal river flows, showing that our improvement efforts are paying off. This is a clear message that we must adopt a new strategy to replace, repair, modernize and enhance our barrages and other irrigation networks.
Farmers cited a new approach to natural river expansion that is being considered in Punjab, saying the Sindh government should also clear waterways of all types of encroachments to improve the province's flood-fighting capacity.
Currently, highways, roads, housing schemes, farmland, villages and other encroachments need to be redesigned to restore water courses to prevent this destruction and establish a stable environment.
The SAB acknowledged that moving human settlements out of natural waterways would be a challenging task, but that it could be possible with government commitment means "pabandi" and rebuilding road infrastructure.
The board regretted the deforestation of riverbanks, which were cut down for agricultural fields and human means "insani" settlement. However, it was acknowledged that reforestation could reduce the intensity of floods. Farmers stressed the need to raise awareness means "agahi" about the effects of climate change, which could be an important step towards a positive change.
Playing the hunting card to secure international funding will not succeed unless the government effectively prepares means "tayyar kerna" itself, allocates resources, and transforms current development strategies to make them effective. A comprehensive strategy means "tarkeeb" can help the government mitigate the risks of climate change and also secure foreign funding.
