By Kamran Khamiso Khowaja
THATTA: An acute shortage of irrigation water has delayed paddy cultivation in the coastal districts of Thatta and Sujawal, raising concerns among farmers about crop losses and the potential economic impact on one of the region’s key agricultural sectors.
According to local irrigation officials, water availability in the area has declined significantly, affecting agricultural activities across dozens of union councils. Farmers say the shortage has disrupted sowing schedules and could reduce paddy production if water supplies are not restored in time.
Major Water Channels Running Dry
The situation has become increasingly serious as four major water channels in Thatta district — Kalri Baghar, Sakro, Jam Wah, and Udero Lal — have largely run dry.
Officials from the Irrigation Department said the district is facing a water shortage of around 60 percent. They noted that the Kalri Baghar Feeder, one of the area’s primary irrigation sources, is currently receiving only 2,800 cusecs of water, which they described as insufficient to meet the district’s agricultural requirements.
The shortage has affected more than 40 union councils in Thatta, limiting water availability for both farming and local communities.
Farmers Fear Impact on Paddy Production
Growers across the district say the water crisis is threatening paddy cultivation, one of the region’s most important and high-yielding crops.
Muhammad Bux Khaskheli, a local farmer, said paddy growers have struggled in recent years due to delayed and inadequate water supplies. He warned that continued shortages could further reduce agricultural output and affect farmers’ incomes.
Another grower, Ali Nawaz Jakhro, said nearly 30 key distributaries and water channels supplying agricultural and low-lying areas have been running dry, worsening conditions for farmers during the sowing season.
Concerns Raised Over Water Distribution
Former National Assembly member and senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader Dr Abdul Wahid Soomro criticized the current water distribution system and alleged that Sindh was not receiving its full share of water.
He accused the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) and Punjab of contributing to the shortage affecting farmers in Sindh’s coastal districts.
The water scarcity comes at a critical time for the agricultural sector, with growers urging authorities to ensure adequate irrigation supplies to prevent further delays in paddy cultivation and protect crop yields during the current season.
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