Diverting a Rising Flood in Naj Gaj

In the video, the villagers of village Shahak Rodiani in Kachho area (a semi-desert area depending on rain and torrential stream water for agriculture and livestock) in Dadu District, Sindh, Pakistan, are trying to raise the soil embankment (locally called Gandho). Such embankments are raised by the villagers to check and divert the Nai Gaj (mighty torrential stream carrying flood water from the mountainous parts of Balochistan and Sindh) for the cultivation of the land. Cluster bean, sorghum, mustard, and castor grow in the area, which provides livelihood opportunities for the population and fodder for the livestock. The water from streams also makes the area green and naturally beautiful. The villagers say they have spent PKR 800000 (Euro 2200) by raising the bund using tractors and labor. The bund guided the flood water for a while, but in the end, they were unable to check the ever-rising volume of stream water. The gandho broke up and water flowed to Manchar lake, which also needs fresh water. The villagers say they would raise the gandho once again in the wake of the next flow of Nai.