KARACHI, Nov 07 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah has decided to declare Tharparkar a drought-affected district following a comprehensive review of the prevailing drought situation and severe crop losses. He directed the relevant departments to immediately initiate relief measures and ensure the availability of drinking water and essential supplies to the affected population. Presiding over a meeting at CM House on Saturday, the CM reviewed a detailed …
CM Murad Shah declares Tharparkar drought-affected, orders emergency measures to ensure water and fodder supply
KARACHI, Nov 07 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah has decided to declare Tharparkar a drought-affected district following a comprehensive review of the prevailing drought situation and severe crop losses.
He directed the relevant departments to immediately initiate relief measures and ensure the availability of drinking water and essential supplies to the affected population.
Presiding over a meeting at CM House on Saturday, the CM reviewed a detailed briefing on the drought-like conditions across all seven talukas of Tharparkar. The meeting was attended by MNA Dr Mahesh Malani, MPAs Dost Muhammad Rahimoon, Qasim Soomro, Faqeer Sher Muhammad Bilalani and Arbab Lutfullah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Senior Member, Board of Revenue Khalid Hyder Shah, Secretary to CM Asif Jameel, Commissioner Mirpurkhas Shahmir Bhutto and others.
The briefing revealed that all seven talukas of Tharparkar were facing drought-like conditions, with approximately 85 to 90 per cent of cultivated crops either destroyed or rendered unproductive. The Agriculture Extension Department assessed crop losses at around 90 per cent, while field reports from Assistant Commissioners and Mukhtiarkars confirmed that only 10 to 15 per cent of crops had survived.
The CM expressed serious concern over the impact of inadequate and poorly distributed rainfall on agriculture, livestock and the livelihoods of the people of Tharparkar. He observed that the situation required immediate government intervention, particularly to protect livestock, which remained a major source of income and livelihood for the people of the desert district.
Directing Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah to take immediate action, Murad Ali Shah ordered that all non-functional Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants be repaired and restored on a priority basis. He further directed the authorities to identify faults in existing water supply sources and make them fully functional to ensure uninterrupted access to drinking water for local communities.
The CM directed the Chief Secretary to assess the feasibility of laying a dedicated water supply line from Naukot to Mithi to ensure a sustainable and reliable supply of drinking water to the people of Mithi. He emphasised that all necessary technical and administrative requirements should be examined on a priority basis so that a long-term solution to the area’s water shortage could be developed.
The CM also emphasised the need for urgent arrangements to address the shortage of fodder and protect livestock from the adverse effects of drought. He directed the relevant departments to coordinate their efforts and ensure that relief measures reached affected areas without delay.
The briefing highlighted that rainfall during the 2026 monsoon season had been unevenly distributed. Although seasonal rainfall totals ranged between 181 and 273 millimetres across the seven talukas, September rainfall remained particularly low, ranging from just 1 to 36 millimetres. As a result, crops and natural grass dried out before they could mature.
The CM reaffirmed that the Sindh government would stand firmly with the people of Tharparkar during this difficult period. He directed the administration to remain vigilant, closely monitor the situation, and ensure no affected community is left without essential support.
He stressed that the government was committed to taking all necessary steps to minimise the impact of drought, safeguard livestock, restore water facilities and provide relief to the people of Tharparkar.
