52,000 families at risk of displacement due to flood in Sindh, Murad Ali Shah told

KARACHI: With Guddu Barrage expecting inflows of 700,000 to 800,000 cusecs next week, the Sindh government has expressed concern over the potential displacement of hundreds of thousands of people living along the banks of the Indus River due to the impending high flood.

A meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah reviewed the flood situation in the province. Officials from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the irrigation department informed the CM that a major flood is expected to hit Guddu Barrage between September 3 and 4, potentially displacing over 52,000 families.

The CM directed PDMA and district administrations to prepare for the establishment of over 500 relief camps along river embankments to protect affected communities and livestock.

“In the event of a major flood wave, we cannot afford to lose a single life, whether human or animal,” he emphasized.

To support the response efforts, Shah ordered the deployment of more than 30,000 Rescue-1122 personnel and 178 boats—72 in northern districts and 106 in southern districts—aimed at emergency evacuations and relocation operations.

A press statement noted that the meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon and Makhdoom Mahboob Zaman, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PDMA Director General Salman Shah, and other senior officials. Commissioners and DIGs joined the meeting via video link.

To assist with potential evacuations, the CM ordered boats to be dispatched to six vulnerable areas in Sukkur, four each in Ghotki, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Naushahro Feroze, and Dadu, and three areas in Shaheed Benazirabad.

The CM was also briefed that the Pakistan Navy has positioned 26 boats on standby for relief operations.

Regarding relief supplies, the PDMA assured that ample stocks, including mosquito nets, blankets, first-aid kits, kitchen sets, mattresses, portable toilets, quilts, de-watering pumps, and generators, are ready for deployment to assist affected communities.