Pakistan Breaches Embankment, Flooding 120,000 People... "A Desperate Measure to Prevent Greater Damage"

Diverting Waterways to Save 500,000 Lives
Flood Damage Expected for Over 125,000 People
"A Very Difficult Decision"... 30% of the Country Underwater

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Pakistani government, facing an unprecedented flood that has submerged more than 30% of the country, announced that it has breached a section of the embankment of Manchar Lake, the largest freshwater lake, to prevent greater casualties. This decision is expected to protect over 500,000 residents from flood damage, but approximately 125,000 residents living near the breached embankment are expected to suffer flood damage.

According to Deutsche Welle (DW) on the 5th (local time), authorities in Sindh Province in southern Pakistan stated that they are creating a hole in the embankment of Manchar Lake, which reached a dangerous water level and posed a risk of flooding, to drain the water. Pakistani officials explained, "If Manchar Lake overflows, 500,000 residents living in nearby Sehwan and other areas will be affected. However, by artificially creating a new waterway, about 125,000 residents in the flooded areas will suffer flood damage, so evacuation orders have been issued to residents in the expected flood zones."

Sharzil Memon, Sindh Province’s Minister of Information, emphasized at a press conference, "This measure was taken based on expert advice to protect areas such as Sehwan. It was a very difficult decision, but it had to be done." Pakistani authorities are reportedly reinforcing other embankments while diverting the water from Manchar Lake, which is on the verge of overflowing, through the newly created waterway.

Manchar Lake is Pakistan’s largest freshwater lake, expanding to about 500 km² during the rainy season and shrinking to 200 km² in the dry season. Especially this time, the Sindh region experienced rainfall more than 4.6 times the 30-year average, putting the embankments surrounding the lake at risk of flooding.

Besides Sindh Province, more than one-third of Pakistan’s territory has been submerged due to the massive floods during the three-month rainy season. So far, 1,314 people have died, and over 33 million have been affected by the floods. Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance estimates the flood damage at $12.5 billion (approximately 17.1 trillion KRW) and is concerned that casualties could increase significantly if waterborne diseases occur in the future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.