Two years on, Malir dams sit crumbling

Growers decry wasted water amid scarcity, call for repairs

KARACHI:

The authorities have yet to restore water reservoirs built along the Malir River bank, which were severely damaged during a heavy monsoon spell two years ago. Floodwaters damaged the infrastructure of small dams and reservoirs, breaking down the wall of water reservoir, Ware-II, in Memon Goth area.

The wall had collapsed as a flash flood weakened its structure. Two years on, it has yet to be rebuilt. The reservoir’s mouth has silted up and rocks that fell into it have reduced its storage capacity. Besides, the pillars of the bridges built over the river are weakening.

Similarly, a reservoir built in 1970 near the Memon Goth Police Station, Ware-I, has also been weathered by floods and neglect. Accumulated water spills over to the river.

Local farmers in Memon Goth and Malir have expressed resentment against the provincial government for its failure to repair these damages.

These small dams are a lifeline for growers in the area, they believe. Agriculturists have pointed out that the groundwater level rises when rainwater accumulates, supplying irrigation water to farmers within a 30-kilometre radius of the wells and boreholes. These local water sources dry up otherwise and accumulated water is wasted. The growers claim that instead of prioritising farmers, agricultural land is sold off to build housing schemes.

Water scarcity has resulted in reduced fruit and vegetable produce, lament growers, accusing the provincial government of prioritising the land for other uses.

They demanded of the authorities to fix repairs on the Malir River dams.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2021.