Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA) Chairman Qabool Muhammad Khatiyan has ordered a comprehensive operation against water theft after taking serious notice of the acute water shortage in Badin district. The directives were issued during the chairman’s visit to tail-end areas of Tando Muhammad Khan, Matli and Badin, where he met local growers to hear their concerns regarding irrigation water supplies.
Inspection of Phulleli Canal
During the visit, the SIDA chairman inspected various sections of the Phulleli Canal and reviewed the prevailing water situation. He noted that water availability in the irrigation system remained significantly lower than demand, leading to delays in cultivation of rice and cotton crops.
Action Against Water Theft
Khatiyan stated that although irrigation engineers and field staff were working around the clock to ensure water reached tail-end areas, complaints had been received about water theft by some individuals. He ordered an immediate operation to prevent this and made it clear that no leniency would be shown to anyone found involved in water theft. He added that delayed water supplies had severely affected paddy and cotton cultivation.
Patrols and Resolved Complaints
Director of the Left Bank Canals Area Water Board Abdul Wahid Kandhir informed the chairman that executive engineers and their staff were conducting round-the-clock patrols to improve water distribution across the canal network. Executive engineers and other concerned officials also accompanied the chairman. Growers presented complaints regarding inadequate water supply, water theft and violations of the rotational water distribution system (warabandi), several of which were resolved on the spot.
