Drinking Gwadar water crisis is a basic need that denied to the residents of Gwadar. Despite the rapid development done by the government in this area, it is yet to get water supply. Most residents forced to pay private tankers for water. and that too is of questionable quality. Most of the water sold by tankers comes from Mirani Dam, about 200 km from Gwadar.
Needed fresh water
This water is often brackish and dirty and yet residents have no choice but to drink it. The state government should look into this problem. and provide much needed fresh Gwadar water. Geopolitical impact of Gwadar Port in India
As the world’s largest oil importer. energy security is a key concern for China. while existing shipping lanes used to import oil from the Middle East. and Africa are often patrolled by the US Navy. for China, the shortest sea trade route to Africa, Europe. and the Middle East is through the Malacca Strait. At least 80% of its energy imports from the Middle East and Africa also pass through the Malacca Strait. If China faces hostile actions by a state or non-state actor. energy imports from the Strait of Malacca could blocked. which in turn would cripple the Chinese economy in a scenario often referred to as the “Strait of Malacca”. is called . dilemma”
Potential vulnerabilities
In addition to possible vulnerabilities vis-à-vis China by the US Navy. potential vulnerabilities could arise from a deterioration in India-China relations. The Indian Navy has recently increased maritime surveillance of the Malacca Strait region.. from its base on Great Nicobar Island. India has expressed fears that a Chinese “string of pearls” is encircling it. If a conflict breaks out, India can block Chinese imports from the strait. Indian maritime surveillance in the Andaman Sea. could increase China’s interest in Pakistan’s Gwadar port. Half of its capacity has lost due to lack of maintenance. In the last two years, three Chinese-funded dams have built. and two more are under construction. as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Desalination plant is operational
However, these dams are not yet connected to the city. Although Gwadar has several beaches, the sea water cannot used for agriculture. as it is saline and therefore not suitable for irrigation. Between 2015 and 2016, a desalination plant supplied. the city with 1.1 million liters of water against a target of 7.5 million liters.
At present, no desalination plant is operational in the city. Water tankers from Mirani Dam are being used to meet the needs of the citizens of Gwadar. this may not be a permanent solution to water scarcity in the region. Time and again residents of the area have protested. calling on government officials to resolve the crisis. but all their demands have fallen on deaf ears. The government should take steps as soon as possible to deal with the water crisis. The recent heavy rains devastated the residents of Gwadar.
Special development package worth
Other parts of Makran Division, leaving hundreds of people homeless. While Makran Division depends on rainwater to meet the water needs. its residents, the rain, which is a boon. becomes a scourge for the local people due to poor planning or lack of infrastructure. That is why rain washes away the limited resources in people’s hands.
On September 12 last year, during his brief visit to Quetta. the provincial capital of Baluchistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan had hinted at a special development package worth around. one billion dollars for the south of Baluchistan. which only revolves around Makran. After the partition. the federal minister for planning. and development, Asad Umar, visited southern Baluchistan along with other parliamentarians reiterating. the government’s commitment to the region’s development. Again, on November 14, 2020, Prime Minister Khan during his. The place deserted and the mountain range starts in front of the main town of Kalag within Kulanch city.
Mountains flows through water
Gwadar Water from these mountains flows through water channels and collects in four wells. Residents of Kalag are luckier than those who live on flat areas away from wells. as they have installed solar panels to draw water from wells. In Kulanch, villages scattered. Some of them, like Lanti Dhan located far from wells, are not as lucky as Klug. Bibi Mehtab Baloch and Jamila Baloch former residents of Lanti Dhahan have to walk more than one. and a half hours daily to fetch water from the well for domestic use. Women men and children carry buckets of water. on their shoulders or use wheelbarrows. although some have donkeys and motorbikes for the purpose. Apart from severe water scarcity. there is poverty and drought in Kulanch from. where many villagers have migrated to Pasni town over the past two decades. Gwadar in general and Kulanch in particular depends on rain water. The villagers of Kulanch say that it rains once every three years, but the recent rains did not benefit them.
Health problems from drinking salty
For them, the reason is the Swade Dam. which, despite located in the same areas as Kulanch. supplies water to the main port city of Gwadar. Azad a village teacher, says, “Until today there is no pipeline to supply water. to even a single village in Kulanch. “The water we drink is salty. We also get stomach aches.. and hepatitis B, not to mention other health problems from drinking salty. and polluted water. Like other clan residents, Bibi Mehtab and Bibi Jamila forced to carry water every day. But his suffering has overshadowed by the attention. Gwadar has received from the mainstream media. Generally Gwadar faces water scarcity. In recent years, the main city of Gwadar has faced severe shortage of drinking water. Locals have often taken to the streets to pressurize authorities. to ensure water supply, a scarce commodity in Gwadar.
The recent floods
Despite the recent floods. and severe water shortage in the rural areas of Gwadar, Shakeel Baloch, District Executive Office. Public Health Engineering Department. is happy to share all the good news with Dawn. “Despite the damage caused by the floods. and although it has damaged some of our plans. water supply has restored in Gwadar,” he says, talking about the general water situation. “So far, thanks to the rains, we have stored water in the dams for two or three years [to meet the next demand].”
Also read: Gwadar today