KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that some portions of old and recently restored walls of Ranikot Fort have collapsed due to heavy rainfall and flash floods. He urged Endowment Fund Trust (EFT) for preservation of heritage to hold a Disaster Management Conference in city to study conditions. Receiving a report from EFT that he had sought. Hamid Akhund of EFT has given him a detailed report.

CM giving reference of report said that some portions of recently restored walls of Ranikot have collapsed and added that these walls were further damaged due to faulty drainage within structure, as slopes were not properly structured to drain out water, which became impossible during disaster time, resulting in weakness of fortification walls.

Old walls, which collapsed were already vulnerable and could not withstand onslaught of heavy downpour, not witnessed in last 100 years, report said. Restored walls, some of which have fallen, were due to landslides and at some places, walls were constructed on loose earth. CM said that some walls at Mohan Gate had washed out, due to flash floods. “Few restored walls collapsed due to settlement of soil leaving foundation and joints vulnerable, resulting in collapse,” he said. Akhund told CM that foundations of walls of Ranikot were not deep and they were standing on top of cliffs making them susceptible to heavy downpours and slight movement. Murad Ali Shah directed Akhund to conduct a survey of damages and publish its results so that appropriate steps could be taken.

He assured him that his government would extend maximum support to EFT and he desired all concerned stakeholders must participate in venture. CM desired EFT to establish a Disaster Management Cell for heritage monuments as a permanent autonomous body comprising all stakeholders. Ranikot is a historical Fort located near Saan, district Jamshoro. It is also known as `The Great Wall of Sindh’ and is believed to be World’s largest fort with a circumference of approximately 32 kilometres.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 21 2022

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