Friday 26 / April / 2024
Pakistan on Sunday ordered the strategic breaching of the country's largest freshwater lake after it reached dangerous levels and posed a threat to areas of southern Sindh province.
Unprecedented floods since June have already left almost a third of the country underwater.
What we know about the breaching of the lake
Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro said about 100,000 people would be displaced by the rupture of Manchar Lake, but that more populated areas would be prevented from flooding.
"By inflicting the breach we have tried to save Sehwan town. Water levels in Johi and Mehar towns in Dadu district would be reduced by this breach in the lake," Shoro told Reuters news agency.
Meteorologists predicted more heavy rain in the region in the coming days and authorities urged people living near the lake, located west of the Indus River, to evacuate.
It was unclear how many of the 100,000 people affected would leave their homes.
