Manchar Lake dries up

SEHWAN: Manchar Lake, Pakistan’s largest freshwater reservoir, is drying up rapidly, with more than 2 kilometres of its area turning into barren land as sandstorms sweep across the exposed lakebed, local residents, activists and officials said.

The lake spans 23.5 square kilometres and supports thousands of families in Sehwan and nearby areas through fishing, farming and tourism. Officials said the water level has fallen to 106 RL, or about 6 feet, compared with its usual depth of up to 5 metres, around 16 feet. As the water has receded, large stretches of the lakebed have been laid bare and now resemble desert terrain.

The falling water level has pushed fish stocks close to collapse, affecting fishermen who depend on the lake for their income. Boats are no longer operating because the water is too shallow, while tourist arrivals have dropped significantly. Farmers living around the lake said their land has become barren in the absence of irrigation water.

More than 30,000 people in nearby settlements are facing difficulty in accessing drinking water and water for agriculture. Members of the Manchar Bachao Ittehad also staged a protest at Manchar Bund, calling for immediate steps to restore the lake.