THATTA: A severe crisis has unfolded in Mirpur Bathoro taluka of Sindh as the closure of Ganjo Bahar Canal enters the second month, threatening the livelihoods of farmers, herders and thousands of other residents in the region, Dawn gathered on Wednesday.

The closure has left thousands of acres of fertile land barren, endangering vital crops such as wheat, sugar cane and green fodder like berseem, which is crucial for livestock. The lack of water has resulted in reduced yields, with many farmers fearing significant financial losses.

A farmer, Ghulam Nabi, lamented: “The standing crops are withering before our eyes. We have invested everything, but without water, we are helpless.” The scarcity of fodder crop has left the livestock owners scrambling their animals alive, adding to the economic strain.

The crisis extends beyond agriculture as ponds in the towns of Mirpur Bathoro and Jhok Sharif have completely dried up, leaving thousands of families without clean drinking water. The absence of proper water supply infrastructure, such as taps in most areas, has forced residents to buy water from distant locations at exorbitant prices.

Farmers, herders and residents face unprecedented crisis

Zahida, a resident of Jhok Sharif, shared her plight: “We can barely afford food, let alone buying water every day. Our children are falling sick from drinking contaminated water.”

The situation is particularly dire for labourers and low-income families, who cannot purchase water due to financial constraints. Many are forced to walk long distances to fetch water from far-flung areas, enduring immense physical and emotional hardships. The shortage of clean drinking water has also increased the risk of waterborne diseases in the region.

Local activists and community leaders have urged the authorities to take a swift action to address the crisis. They are calling for an immediate reopening of the Ganjo Bahar Canal and the provision of emergency water supplies to the affected areas.

“This is not just an issue of inconvenience; it’s a matter of survival for thousands of people,” said Abdul Latif, a community leader. “The government must step in before the situation spirals further out of control.”

The ongoing crisis in Mirpur Bathoro taluka highlights an urgent need for sustainable water management solutions in the region. As farmers watch their crops fail, herders struggle to feed their livestock, and residents fight for every drop of water. The region teeters on the brink of a humanitarian disaster.

It is imperative that the authorities act swiftly to restore provision of water and provide immediate relief to those suffering. Without their intervention, the livelihoods of thousands and the future of agriculture in the region remain at a grave risk.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2025