Sindh Braces for Major Floods: Authorities Mobilize to Protect 1.65 Million Lives
Sindh faces a critical moment as the Indus River threatens unprecedented flooding. With water levels expected to surpass 700,000 cusecs and potential peaks of 775,000 to 850,000 cusecs, authorities are racing against time to safeguard 1.65 million people in vulnerable riverine areas.
Muhammad Ehsan Leghari, with decades of flood management experience, emphasizes that while criticism is easy, unity and swift action are essential to guide the flood safely to the sea.
Current Situation
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Affected Areas: 14 districts including Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Hyderabad, and Thatta.
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At-Risk Families: 273,000 families in katcha settlements face danger to homes, crops, and livestock.
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Evacuations: Over 24,000 people moved to 300 relief camps; many remain in homes to protect livestock.
Response Plan
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Fortifying Embankments: Urgent repairs at Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages.
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Man, Material, Machinery: Deploy trained staff, excavators, bulldozers, and flood-fighting equipment.
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Monitoring & Alerts: Real-time satellite data, river gauges, and alerts in Sindhi and Urdu.
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Institutional Mobilization: Revenue departments, district administrations, and irrigation engineers must act in coordination.
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Bridge & Channel Management: Widen narrow bridges, remove illegal embankments, and ensure natural flood channels remain clear.
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Relief & Evacuation: Prioritize women, children, and elderly; provide food, water, medicine, and mobile health units.
Leadership in Action
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro are inspecting key sites, signaling urgency. Social media updates, mobile relief units, and community participation aim to strengthen frontline efforts.
Leghari stresses that this flood is a test of unity and preparedness. Saving lives now comes first, while long-term reforms—vulnerability mapping, anti-encroachment drives, and sustainable agriculture—will follow.
“Whoever saves one life, it is as if they have saved all of humanity.”
The message is clear: Sindh must act decisively to guide the Indus waters safely to the sea.
