Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed - PDMA

THE FINDINGS OF THE COMMISSION
9. On the basis of oral and documentary evidence, related information in
public domain, its interaction with the affectees during field visits to four
provinces, as analyzed in the main Report, the Commission’s findings on the
specific formulations of the Hon’ble Supreme Court are given below seriatum:-
1. Whether embankment breaches during the period of high floods in Indus
River are subject to any procedure to be followed by the authorities at the
relevant time, if so, what is the manner of exercising of such powers and by
whom and under what circumstances?
Findings
a. From Diamir-Bhasha downwards upto D.I. Khan, Indus River flows
through KP and the Punjab; KP is not threatened by the Indus, nor any
SOP for flood embankments was currently in vogue in the Province.
b. Jinnah and Taunsa Barrages on the Indus are being maintained by the
Punjab and Chashma Barrage is maintained by the WAPDA.
c. Pre-designated breaching sections have been earmarked for the Right
Guide Bund (RGB), upstream Jinnah Barrage for activation before the
water levels threaten the barrage safety; for the purpose, an inter-agency
civil-military committee has been notified by the Provincial Government to
determine on-spot justification and its precise timing for activation by
Army’s Engineers.
d. The current SOPs do not authorise breaches in Left Guide Bund (LGB) or
Left Marginal Bund (LMB) of Jinnah Barrage in the Punjab or for any other
bunds in the Punjab or Sindh, as such. On the contrary, all bunds are
required to be maintained for safety of the people, farms and property, as
per specified guidelines.
2. Whether in the floods in River Indus in the months of July and August,
2010, procedure for embankment breaches was followed judiciously?
Findings
a. In the Punjab, pre-designated breaches in RGB upstream Jinnah Barrage
were operationalized to save the Barrage by use of explosives through the
Army Engineers, on 31 st July 2010 after due process and diligence by the
notified inter-agency committee.
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