Large cultivated lands devastated in flood

HYDERABAD: The recent rains and floods have damaged 51,782 acres standing crops in Mithi and Diplo talukas of Tharparker while tens of thousands of farmers of these areas have been displaced.

Executive District Officer of Revenue Department Sardar Khan Jamali told the APP on Friday that the floods played havoc with the barrage areas of Thar where crops were cultivated.

"The desert areas of Thar have not been affected as much as is the case with the barrage areas," he observed.

The EDO also expressed fear that the issue of food security would surface in the district in the coming days as local production of edible crops had been dealt a blow.

"We are surveying the losses caused to agriculture and soon the report will be presented to the provincial government," he informed. The EDO said the government wanted to provide relief to the farmers.

"We are trying to drain out stagnant rainwater as quickly as possible to make the farm lands capable for winter (Rabi) sowing," he said expressing hope that soon that work would be completed.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011