Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Saturday said that over 1.6 million people across 1,657 villages could be affected if floodwaters enter the province, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Speaking to the media in Karachi, Sharjeel Memon said that the provincial government had activated its machinery and was taking advance measures to deal with the situation. Provincial Ministers Nasir Hussain Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Sardar Mohammad Bukhsh Mehr, Mukesh Kumar Chawla and Jam Ikramullah Dharejo are on the ground, while the district administration is also actively engaged, he added.
Sharjeel Memon further said that the efforts are underway to move people to safe locations, and as many as 481,000 people have been evacuated from flood-hit areas in the province.
Sharjeel Memon also visited the flood control room and reviewed measures to tackle the flood situation.
Sindh Senior Minister said that the government earmarked 551 points for relief camps, with 192 rescue boats kept ready.
Around 273,000 families and 167 union councils are likely to be impacted if water levels rise further. He said floodwaters could enter Sindh between 2 and 3 September.
Sharjeel Memon said the Guddu barrage was currently discharging 351,000 cusecs of water, Sukkur 289,000 cusecs, and Kotri 251,000 cusecs. Guddu has a capacity of 1.2 million cusecs, Sukkur nine lakh, and Kotri six lakh cusecs, he explained.
Sharjeel Inam Memon emphasised that there was no immediate threat to urban centres and urged against speculation.
At present, the data indicate no alarming situation, and if no further heavy rains occur, conditions may remain under control.
Reporter: Aajiz Jamali