CM reveals agriculture emergency plan, focused on food security, supporting wheat cultivation

CM reveals agriculture emergency plan, focused on food security, supporting wheat cultivation

• Embankments raised to 8-feet above River Indus level
• Sukkur Barrage capacity being enhanced
• Bridge issues at Dadu-Moro, Larkana-Sukkur, Amri being addressed
SUKKUR/GUDDU (Sept 14): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah extensively toured flood-affected regions, including relief camps and barrages, to assess the government’s preparedness and reassure communities that their protection remains a top provincial priority and on top of it revealed Sindh’s Agriculture Emergency Plan.
Mr Shah acknowledged a drop in Sindh’s wheat output from 4.2 million tons last year to 3.1 million tons but stated there were sufficient reserves till March 2026.
Murad Shah revealed that Sindh’s Agriculture Emergency Plan, focused on food security and supporting wheat cultivation, would be announced next week. “We are working on the plan and will announce for the wheat growers so that its cultivation could be improved,” he said.
During his visit to Sukkur Barrage, Murad Shah briefed the media on flood conditions, government preparations, and relief measures. He reported water inflows at Sukkur Barrage between 650,000 and 700,000 cusecs- lower than the 1.1 to 1.2 million cusecs initially forecasted by the NDMA but noted that preparations had been made for the higher estimate. Irrigation officials have been stationed in Sukkur for two weeks to monitor the situation continuously.
The CM highlighted three primary government objectives: saving lives, protecting important infrastructure, and strengthening embankments. Embankments have been raised to eight feet above the river level, and teams are deployed to all vulnerable locations. Loss of life has been minimal and not directly linked to flooding, and measures are in place to prevent further casualties.
Murad Shah called on the federal government to channel direct assistance to flood victims via the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and stressed Pakistan’s need to seek support from the UN and international community, citing the role of climate change in causing such disasters.
Sindh already has adequate relief supplies, medical camps, and ongoing livestock vaccination drives. Mr Shah pointed out ongoing works to enhance Sukkur Barrage’s capacity and address bridge issues at Dadu-Moro, Larkana-Sukkur, and Amri.
Recognising the resilience of residents in flood-prone areas, Murad Shah thanked communities, emphasising unity in overcoming national challenges. He lauded Sukkur Barrage as an engineering marvel but noted some gates require repairs, with infrastructure improvements ongoing in vulnerable areas like Badin.
During his inspection of Ali Wahan village, the chief minister visited relief and medical camps, attended to flood victims, and ordered urgent medical care for those in need. Since July, over 107,000 animals have received vaccinations, with continued efforts in livestock care for the affected 156,000 animals in Kachho. Rescue operations, including Pakistan Navy and Rescue 1122 teams, have aided over 2,000 displaced individuals in Ali Wahan alone. The PPHI has mobilised its mobile dispensaries to provide medical care to the people evacuated from flood-riverine areas.
At Sukkur Barrage, the CM personally inspected water levels, currently at 500,000 cusecs and classified as high flood. Chinese Engineers briefed him on the installation of 16 new gates as part of ongoing rehabilitation. High flows are expected to continue at Sukkur and Guddu Barrages until Monday, with Kotri Barrage anticipated to receive 400,000 cusecs by September 21.
In Kashmore, chief minister Murad Shah reiterated his administration’s priority to protect lives, noting the safe evacuation of three million people and effective performance by rescue and relief agencies. While Sindh had prepared for over one million cusecs and raised embankments by up to 10 feet, Mr Shah urged prompt implementation of direct aid for victims and an international appeal, as called for by Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
At Guddu Barrage, officials reported current discharges of 627,908 cusecs- well below its design capacity of 1.1 million cusecs. Vulnerable points like Tori Bund and KK Bund are being fortified, with continuous monitoring.
Ongoing World Bank-supported rehabilitation under the Sindh Barrages Improvement Project includes replacing gates and upgrading infrastructure. Murad Shah ordered round-the-clock monitoring and reinforced coordination with provincial control centres for emergencies.
Concluding, Mr Shah reassured Sindh’s people of the government’s commitment, praising the resilience of both residents and agricultural workers. He vowed the province would overcome this natural calamity through unity, as it has in past crises.