Ali Gul Leghari-Johi
” Flooding in Nai Gaaj and Kachho ” Nai Gaaj is an ephemeral river in Dadu District of Sindh, Pakistan. It drains part of the Kirthar Mountains, and flows from Balochistan province towards Sindh. Flowing through the mountainous area of Khuzdar in Balochistan, the river crosses the Sindh-Balochistan border at Thakh from where it flows towards the deserted area of Kachho in the vicinity of Johi, District Dadu, up to Gaaj Irrigation Bungalows, from where it was diverted towards south to the Lake Manchhar in the British period. Mostly it flows in the monsoon season and becomes a major source of irrigation for the local people of Kachho but sometimes due to heavy rains, it comes in shape of floods that influence badly on the livings of local people including hundreds of surrounded villages and Johi city. Due to the swift flow of water from the mouth of Nai Gaaj, hundreds of people lose their homes, cattle and lives in unawareness. All the link roads that lead to Johi city and Dadu are disconnected. Whole infrastructure of the Kachho is badly dilapidated and shortage of food hikes up. After the mega flood of 2010 and unbridled rains of 2011, this year, once again the monsoon rains have started showing up the hazardous effects in Sindh and Balochistan provinces. According to the reports, more than 200 people have been killed as monsoon rains triggered flash flood in Sindh and Balochistan within one month. District Dadu of Sindh including whole Kachho area has also been one of the the targeted point of monsoons. Situation of Kachho area is getting worst gradually as many people have been displaced after losing their homes, lives and cattle. Due to persist rains in Balouchistan and Khirthar range, the rain water has simultaneously been flowing through the Gaaj and annihilating hundreds of villages of Kachho and is breaching the FP (Flood Protection) embankment of Johi. Heavy rains causing floods is a natural phenomena and is unreasonable for humans. But still, precautions and timely actions can mitigate the dangerous situation. But here our elected representatives seem not much interested to tackle the issues which are being confronted by the displaced ones. A medical camp has been provided at the embankment of Johi which is also less useful for the effected people because it is far behind the access due to water. Few life boats have have been placed at the brink ofembankment and a camp from irrigation department is also available there. Couple of days ago, an unprecedent incident took place. A 17 years young boy who came to see the flood water at Johi embankment, he tried to have a bath but the flow of water took him away from the edge. It can be judged our easily the negligence of concerned authorities that the boy went on crying for help to save his life. In presence of hundreds of people on Johi- wahi Pandhi bridge, irrigation staff and life boats, the young boy was drowned to death. Later it came to know that the engines of life boats were out of order . It may not be a bad governance but the worst governance ever I have seen in my life. In the mouth of Nai Gaaj, a huge thick and wide wall locally known as “Teer Bhit” in English its called “Arrow Wall” due to its shape like arrow was built by British for smoothly flow of water from Nai Gaaj to its destination Manchhar lake but the heavy flow of water has broken it several times even after revamping it. Two years ago, a fast flow of water had broken it and caused many villages under water. Despite many verbal and written applications to repair the wall by local people, the Government paid no heed to this matter. Recently this huge destruction due to rain water is the actual cause of broken wall. Nai Gaaj dam is being constructed across the Nai Gaaj to reserve water for agriculture purpose in Kachho and its surroundings. According to experts and analysts, after the completion of Gaaj Dam and keeping the storage of water, if it ever breaks up or overflows in heavy rains of monsoon, it will be dangerous not only for Kachho but Johi city even most areas of Districts Dadu will be at high risk. District Government particularly District Commissioner and our elected representatives should materialize the sensitivity of this matter. Most of the issues can be resolved if precautionary measured are taken on priority basis. Though Government cannot stop the flood water emerging from Nai Gaaj yet it’s damage can be decreased by repairing the Nai Gaaj wall on priority basis. In addition to this, Government should make all necessary arrangements for the flood affected people to help them reach at accessible points during flood by facilitating working life boats along with expert divers. Instead of arranging medical camp at embankment, it should be facilitated where affected people may have easy access. Link roads should be built with the help of experts and senior engineers so that they may not be ruined during the expected flow of rain water annually. Bridges should be built where the flow of water is intensive and most importantly, the quality of construction work should be ensured which is only possible if the contract of construction work is given to experienced contractors. Political influence in these matters should also be avoided as this is the matter of life and death for thousands of people living in Kachho.