Southern Sindh Water Management Action Plan

The World Bank, in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan (GOP) and Government of Sindh (GOS), has designed an action plan to address flood vulnerability, and socio-economic and livelihood issues of people living close to the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) and in the coastal zone of southern Sindh in the districts of Badin and Thatta.

The action plan is based on discussions with local authorities and incorporates lessons learned from LBOD and the National Drainage Program (NDP). These include a more holistic approach to project planning and design to ensure benefits are distributed more widely, and closer attention is paid to environmental, social, natural habitat, and cultural issues. There has been some early discussion with local communities but broader consultation will take place as details of the plan evolve.

Key elements of the Action Plan include:

1. An assistance program (Coastal Area Development Program) in southern Sindh to assist poor people across this flood prone area, especially those villages most seriously affected by the 2003 storm and flooding. The work is based on the 2005 socioeconomic study of Badin and Thatta and will take place in 11 talukas (see figure below) close to LBOD. The established Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and partner organizations will implement the plan.

2. Short and longer-term livelihood assistance program for the people living near the dhands or lakes and an assessment of ecological damage to the dhands. Immediate options in the dhands include planting mangroves and reeds as natural barriers.

3. Updated local government flood response plan and capacity building for those responsible. Immediate measures will be put in place in the most vulnerable villages. These include flood platforms and refuges, and small flood bunds designed to enhance drains, reduce isolation, and improve village roads, making escape during emergencies easier.

4. Repairs and strengthening of the drainage infrastructure and a detailed maintenance plan.

5. Accelerated processing of the Bank-supported Water Sector Improvement Project (WSIP) to finalize risk-management solutions for drainage infrastructure. A 2005 Panel of Experts mission identified seven options to strengthen and improve the performance and security of LBOD but detailed technical studies need to be done to determine the right choices. The WSIP is expected to be presented to the World Bank’s Board of Directors in February 2007.