THATTA: A severe scarcity of irrigation water has created an alarming situation in the coastal districts of Thatta and Sujawal in Sindh province. Four major water channels in District Thatta—Kalri Baghar, Sakro, Jam Wah, and Udero Lal—have dried up, leading to a water shortage in over 40 Union Councils (UCs) of the district.
Irrigation Department Reports 60% Water Deficit
According to the District Thatta Irrigation Department, the water scarcity has reached 60 percent. The main Kalri Baghar Water Channel is currently receiving only 2,800 cusecs of water, which is insufficient to meet the needs of the district.
Impact on Paddy Cultivation
Local growers have expressed deep concern over the situation. They stated that the water shortage has adversely affected paddy cultivation, a high-yielding crop crucial to the district's economy. If conditions persist, it could spell disaster for the local economy.
Muhammad Bux Khaskheli, a local grower, said that over the past few years, paddy has not yielded desired results due to untimely and inadequate water supply. Another grower, Ali Nawaz Jakhro, noted that 30 key water arteries supplying water to urban and low-lying areas of Thatta have run dry, worsening the plight of farmers.
Political Blame Over Water Sharing
Veteran politician and former MNA of the Pakistan People’s Party, Dr. Abdul Wahid Soomro, has accused the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) and Punjab province of depriving Sindh of its rightful water share.
The crisis highlights the ongoing challenges of water distribution in Pakistan, particularly affecting agricultural communities in the Indus delta region.
