Flood Report Changes

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CHAPTER 6

The Indus is bigger then any river in Europe…This was the river which Alexander crossed with his army, and so entered India.1

LMB OF GUDDU BARRAGE CAUSING DAMAGE IN PUNJAB

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. A portion of the LMB of Guddu Barrage extends into Punjab. Any damage to the said LMB affects the residents of District Rahim Yar Khan (Bhong City) as happened in the recent floods. We therefore felt it necessary to inquiry into the mechanism of supervision of the said LMB and the level of coordination and understanding between I & P Departments of Punjab and Sind.

2. LMB OF GUDDU BARRAGE CAUSING DAMAGE IN PUNJAB2

2.1. Left Marginal Bund is an integral part of Guddu Barrage and falls within the jurisdiction of Irrigation & Power Department, Government of Sindh. LMB from miles No.6- 16 (10 Miles) is located in Province of Punjab. However, the entire LMB 0-16 miles is maintained and managed by the Irrigation & Power Department, Sindh. During exceptional high flood of August 2010 LMB was breached at the following locations:-

S. No. Location / RD Detail of Breach 1 9 mile 6 furlong of LMB 110 feet 2 10 mile 1 furlong of LMB 140 feet 3 10 mile 4 furlong of LMB 180 feet 4 10 mile 5 furlong of LMB 200 feet 5 13 mile 1 furlong of LMB 250 feet

2.2. Breaches of LMB Sr. No.1 to Sr. No.4 were closed by Irrigation & Power Department, Government of Sindh and breach which occurred on 8.8.2010 opposite Bhong Town at 13 mile & 1 Furlong were closed by the Irrigation & Power Department, Government of Punjab.

1 Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, c. 145 CE 2 Mark 122 260

CHAPTER 6

The Indus is bigger then any river in Europe…This was the river which Alexander crossed with his army, and so entered India.1

LMB OF GUDDU BARRAGE CAUSING DAMAGE IN PUNJAB

1. INTRODUCTION

2. LMB OF GUDDU BARRAGE CAUSING DAMAGE IN PUNJAB2

1 Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, c. 145 CE 2 Mark 122 262 CHAPTER 6 REPORT OF THE JUDICIAL FLOOD INQUIRY TRIBUNAL, 2010 REPORT OF THE JUDICIAL FLOOD INQUIRY TRIBUNAL, 2010 CHAPTER 6 145263

2.3. The flood flow from these breaches affected the population areas of R.Y. Khan District. The flood entered Bhong Town and also Bhong Distributory System. The flood water inundated large area and damaged villages, crops and other infrastructure of Tehsil Sadiqabad of District Rahim Yar Khan. The flood water also affected Karachi – Lahore National High Way thereby disrupting the flow of traffic. Vide direction of the Secretary, Irrigation & Power Department, Government of the Punjab dated 16.08.2010 the breach in the LMB at 13 mile 1 furlong was closed by the Chief Engineer Bahawalpur. Total 33,345 Acres were inundated due to the said flood water.

1 Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, c. 145 CE 2 Mark 122 262 CHAPTER 6 REPORT OF THE JUDICIAL FLOOD INQUIRY TRIBUNAL, 2010 REPORT OF THE JUDICIAL FLOOD INQUIRY TRIBUNAL, 2010 CHAPTER 6 145263

1 Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, c. 145 CE 2 Mark 122 264 CHAPTER 6 REPORT OF THE JUDICIAL FLOOD INQUIRY TRIBUNAL, 2010 REPORT OF THE JUDICIAL FLOOD INQUIRY TRIBUNAL, 2010 CHAPTER 6 145265

2.4. Brief detail of the flood as given by the Chief Engineer, Bahawalpur Irrigation Zone is and cultivation contained in that bund will be damaged but also it is very likelihood5 (sic) as follows:- that the gushing water may below out the left marginal bund.” These apprehensions were · High flood was received on 31.07.2010 at Chachran Town and gauge was communicated to the Secretary, Irrigation & Power Department, Government of the Punjab 10.20 ft. with the discharge of 8 lac cusecs. as well as the Chief Engineers of D.G. Khan Zone and Bahawalpur Zone, but no positive · On 2.8.2010 gauge was 11.5 ft with discharge of 10 lac cusecs; response was received. The apprehension became true when Zamindara Bund breached on · On 3.8.2010 the flood turned into exceptional high flood with gauge at the night of 6th and 7th August, 2010, water attacked the main LMB in the night of 7th and Chachran 12.6 ft with the discharge of 12 lac cusecs. 8th August, 2010 between 01:00 a.m. to 04:00 a.m. At 13/0 water overtopped the bund which resulted in breach and remaining 04 leaks developed into breaches at mile 9/6, 10/1, 2.5. Finally, the reduction in flood was observed from 10.08.2010 to 12.08.2010. The 10/4 & 10/5. flood rose again on 13.08.2010 and remained up till 23.08.2010 in exceptional high flood position. Later on the flood subsided and it became normal on 6.9.2010. Chachran gauge 2.10. The works on the breaches were started on 12.08.2010 and all the breaches were reached its highest at 14.6 feet on 07.08.2010. plugged upto 22.08.2010 during super and very high flood 2010. It has been suggested in the report 2010 that the Zamindara Bund should be removed alongwith illegal pipes. Since 2.6. BREACH OF LMB AT GUDU BARRAGE (falling within Punjab) LMB is within Bhong city its width should be increased from 20 ft. to 40 ft.

2.7. Chief Engineer, Irrigation Gudu Barrage Region Sukkur3 has submitted the Flood 2.11. Formulation of joint strategy between the two provincial flood managers could have Report, 20104 wherein following facts have been highlighted:- lead to better prevention and effective flood fighting. The resulting damage caused in District Rahim Yar Khan could have been be avoided. 2.7.1. At Gudu Barrage the normal flood was upto 18.07.2010. The river was in low flood from 19.07.2010 to 03.08.2010, then it entered in medium flood from 3.8.2010 2.12. One of the most common omissions that has surfaced during these floods is the to 04.08.2010. It remained in high flood level from 04.08.2010 to 05.08.2010 and absence of wetting channels. The embankments like Jampur Bund have been dry for years crossed in very high and super flood stage on the same day i.e., on 5.8.2010. The and therefore failed to withstand the watery onslaught. river discharge of super flood on 05.08.2010 was recorded at 12:00 mid night to 20.08.2010 at 04:00 p.m. with maximum 1st peak of 11,48,738 cusecs on 08.08.2010 3. RECOMMENDATIONS at 11:00 a.m. and 2nd peak of 10,76,728 cusecs on 16.08.2010 at 06:00 p.m. After 20th August 2010 the flood slowly subsided. 3.1. I & P Department shall immediately6 take up the issue of removal of Zamindara Bund, the illegal pipes and other ancillary matters with I & P Department, Sind so that the 2.8. The contribution of Hill Torrents of Sulaiman Ranges below Taunsa Barrage on LMB is properly repaired, Zamindara bund and other impediments should be removed 8.8.2010 was 240,625 cusecs of eight main hill torrents namely Kaha, Chechar, Vidore, Sori before the start of the flood season 2011. This is essential for the security for the people of Lund, Sakhi Sarwar, Vehova, Sanghar, Kaura HWT. Rahim Yar Khan and for the safety of their assets.

2.9. Pond level was kept 1.7 ft below the pond level maintained for regulation in order to 3.2. I & P Department to keep an active liaison with the I & P Department, Sind as well as accommodate the flood water. Hence no difficulty was experienced at Barrage during super with the administration/management of Guddu Barrage so that a joint flood fighting flood and discharge passed smoothly. Upstream left marginal bund falls within Punjab strategy can be developed for the LMB extending into Punjab. (Districts Rahim Yar Khan & Rajanpur). According to the report since 1999 the river discharge remained less than 6 lac cusecs and main current was on right side, but due to sudden 3.3. A mechanism7 between the two Irrigation Departments to be evolved for the future increase in flood discharge upto 1,148,738 cusecs, the main current was shifted to center so that issues get expeditiously resolved. and the pressure was increased on left side. The left marginal bund was covered by local Zamindara Bund for several years from mile 8/0 to mile 15/7. It was apprehended that “since the bund is privately constructed, therefore, no river bund specifications have been observed and it is always vulnerable at high discharges and in case of failure the population

5 should be “likely” 3 Mark 29 6 before the start of this flood season 4 Mark-29 7 by constituting an Inter provincial committee or panel of Irrigation officers and experts. 264 CHAPTER 6 REPORT OF THE JUDICIAL FLOOD INQUIRY TRIBUNAL, 2010 REPORT OF THE JUDICIAL FLOOD INQUIRY TRIBUNAL, 2010 CHAPTER 6 145265

5 should be “likely” 3 Mark 29 6 before the start of this flood season 4 Mark-29 7 by constituting an Inter provincial committee or panel of Irrigation officers and experts.