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Indus River's Eastward Shift Threatens Pakistan's Floodplains
11 Oct
Summary
- Engineered structures are forcing the Indus River eastward.
- Thousands displaced and 5,000 acres of land lost this flood season.
- Lending institutions ignored community warnings about river's fate.
The Indus River in central Pakistan is experiencing a significant eastward shift, driven by engineered structures that have confined its flow. This year's flood season saw the destruction of Basti Kanjal and the displacement of approximately 100,000 people, with close to 5,000 acres of cultivated land lost.
Satellite imagery over 38 years reveals that the river's width has drastically reduced. Engineering projects, including the Chashma Right Bank Canal and the Taunsa Barrage, have inadvertently trapped sediment and restricted the river's natural movement. The canal, financed by the Asian Development Bank, delivers floodwaters and sediment to fixed points, creating new landmasses and forcing the river westward.
The Taunsa Barrage, originally built in 1958, has seen its capacity diminished by sediment accumulation. Rehabilitation efforts did not adequately address sedimentation, leading to breaches in embankments and the river outflanking the structure. Marginal embankments along the eastern bank have also frozen the river's edge, converting floodplain areas into permanent settlements and farms.
Communities in the affected regions had previously warned both the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank about the consequences of these constructions. These warnings, voiced through formal complaints and protests, were reportedly ignored. The river's current trajectory, pushing towards Layyah city and threatening critical irrigation systems, underscores the urgency of addressing these structural challenges for future reconstruction efforts.
