Famine in Thar: Death toll mounts 29
Water shortage has increased manifold as 114 tube wells have become dysfunctional.
THARPARKARR (Dunya News) – Famine continues to harass Thar mounting the death toll to 28 this month whereas water shortage has increased manifold as 114 tube wells have become dysfunctional, Dunya News reported.
Malnutritioned children from the rural areas are being treated at the nutrition ward in Civil Hospital Mithi.
According to the sources, 2 out of 30 malnourished children brought to the Civil Hospital Mithi are declared critical and have been shifted to Hyderabad.
The ones alive, on the other hand, are suffering through scarcity of water. 114 tube wells in Chachhro and Dhali have become dysfunctional whereas tools of more than 75 tube wells are missing.
Rs 20 million grant by the Mithi administration appears to be insufficient to solve water availability issue for the past 7 years. Locals are forced to buy water whereas water is not being provided to the caravans of migrants.
Army has dispatched 4 contingents towards the famine struck areas whereas ration points have also been installed.
Sindh government doesn’t bat an eye over the situation while people a suffering and dying of scarcity of food and water.
Addressing the session at Sindh Assembly on October 27, chief minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah claimed that not a single child died of famine in Thar and the facilities available in hospitals of Tharparkar are no less than any of the hospitals in the province.
He urged not to criticize the government unreasonably as government is continuously helping the people of Thar.
He further said it is not easy to feed 160 thousand people affirming to have installed 80 drinking water plants in Thar and constructing a road to Islam Kot with an expense of Rs 10 billion.
Qaim Ali Shah said government has been implementing development projects which are not being showcased.
Famine has been consistent in Tharpakar due to lack of rainfalls from past three consecutive years.
The situation has now worsened and people are getting into grave trouble, reason being scarcity of food and inadequate supply water. Deficiency of necessities to children has proved to be the sole contributor towards the increased loss of life.
