DURASKI River is located between Awaran and several other villages, like Teertage, Ahori, Bazdad, Mallar, Gishkore, Kulli, Bandami, Sondom, Heqan, Aashal, etc. During monsoons, the river blocks the movement of thousands of people from the said villages to the main bazaar in Awaran where all facilities are available.

Sadly, people have to wait for weeks to cross the bridge which is possible only once the river’s flow returns to the normal. If there is an emergency, no one has access to hospital as it is located on the other side of the river. In such a crisis, cases of childbirth are common. All facilities and basic necessities of these villagers are dependent on the main bazaar. Apart from healthcare, whenever there is rain, people cannot get food stuff and other household items from the bazaar. This increases the general sense of misery among the local people.

The river also damages the standing and ready crops of poor farmers because water overflow leaves the nearby fields inundated. Furthermore, people from the above-mentioned villages have their businesses in the main bazaar. When they are not able to reach the bazaar, they face financial losses. Even if people have an urgent work and want to go to Karachi or Quetta, they cannot do so during heavy rains.

People who live close to the main bazaar also suffer when they are not able to travel to Turbat, Gwadar and Panjgur. This river causes as much problem to the people as it does to the local administration because it increases the workload manifold.

Recently, when a bus with a family coming home during some holidays tried to cross the river, it got trapped there and remained stranded for many days. Even though people tried to get the bus out of river, they could not do so. The bus-owner had to go through a lot of difficulties during the holidays.

Considering all this, one can easily understand the problems the river creates for the whole of Awaran. The Balochistan government should make necessary arrange-ments to facilitate people’s movement, especially during the annual monsoon season.

Zakeer Zakreeya
Awaran

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2022