Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed - PDMA

Findings
a. The bunds are spread over thousands of km and had suffered extensive
erosions before and during the 2010 Flood; most vulnerable amongst
these had been placed under special focus for precautionary measures
against any contingency, too. The pre-flood surveys by civil-military teams
to check the status of these structures, as also required by respective
District Disaster Plans were treated as a routine. However, specific
evidence was not produced to confirm or deny whether these inspections
fulfilled the official instructions had been complied in letter, much less the
spirit of statutory obligations of the Ordinance LIII of 2007, since converted
into an Act of Parliament in December 2010. In many cases, field
inspections were claimed, but not even recorded.
b. The PMD’s revised forecast was late, but sufficient time was still available,
particularly for authorities in southern Punjab and Sindh to take
corrective and preventive measures. However, these were not effective,
particularly as extremely wide margins were noted in the PMD’s flood
predictions and actual flows due to unguaged torrents, streams and rivers.
5. Whether the beneficiaries, if any, responsible for embankment breaches
to save their properties/crops etc, are also responsible for the losses sustained
by the affectees?
Findings In principle, causing wrongful loss to any one is a penal offence,
irrespective of whether the perpetrator gains from that act or not? However, in
the case under inquiry, though unprecedented losses were inflicted by acts and
omissions of concerned officials in the irrigation hierarchies, no specific evidence
was produced to establish wrongful gain by any specific individual, except
general and at times vague allegations and opinions on management of irrigation
works and ways & means to protect the infrastructures: e.g.
a. In the Punjab, the CE & SE at Jinnah Barrage did not ensure pre-flood
preparations, including mandatory stocking of loose stones to plug the
potential breaches or to check non-compliance and report deficiencies in
accordance with approved Flood Protection Plan for the 2010 season.
b. The CE at Jinnah Barrage and PMO Taunsa Barrage, both failed to
ensure observance of barrage regulations, demonstrate effective
control or supervision over their subordinates, especially after 21 st July
PMD warning for acting in accordance with approved Flood Protection
Plan for the 2010 season.
c. In case of Tori, MS and PB Bunds in two irrigation regions of Sindh, the
then Secretary, Irrigation and two Chief Engineers of Guddu and Kotri
Barrages, failed to take timely corrective measures to save affectees from
the losses to which they were exposed, both in Sindh and Balochistan.
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