Report: Yahya Riki
Gwadar, a major coastal city in Pakistan, is now facing serious threats due to sea level rise. Due to the effects of climate change, the sea level is continuously rising, causing serious concern to the local population of Gwadar.
The coastal area of Gwadar, known for fishing and trade, may now be vulnerable to sea erosion and possible flooding, which may also have negative effects on the local economy and employment.
Experts say that if immediate steps are not taken, the coastal population of Gwadar may face massive displacement in the near future. In addition, sea level rise could damage not only the human population but also the coastal infrastructure, which could seriously affect the economic development of Gwadar.
Why did 60 houses on the beach get washed away?
Ghafar Baloch is a resident of Sarbandan. He says that in 2010, due to the rising sea level, around 60 houses were washed away by the sea, but no measures were taken by the government. Hundreds of people protested and blocked the Sarbandan road.
After this incident, the administration built a “protection wall” so that the local population could be safe, but due to the impact of the sea waves, this wall is weakening and the protective wall has been damaged in some places, due to which there is a fear that the local population may not be swept away to the sea again..
There are around 300 houses in Surbandan area of Gwadar which are 40 feet away from the sea.
Need of time is to rebuild the protective wall to save the houses from being washed away by the sea.
How are people affected by sea level rise?
Deputy Director of Environment, Gwadar Development Authority Abdul Rahim said that the increase in sea level has become a threat not only for Pakistan but for the whole world. The sea level increases by 1 mm to 3 mm per year.
In a special conversation with Balochistan 24, he said that one to three millimeters of sea level rise will be recorded annually in Balochistan, which is affecting small human settlements. Sarbandar, Pashkan, Gwadar, Gunz, Sonmiani and Ormara Human settlements are being eroded, the land is being washed away by the sea.
According to him: The mosque and people’s houses were swept away by the sea in Jeoni, around 60 families were lost in Jeoni.
In 2010, a mosque and 40 houses were swept away by the sea in Jiuni, after which the Irrigation Department constructed a safety dam there.
“In Phishkan, 200 feet area was washed away by the sea and a dam was constructed here as well.
In Gwadar, more erosion occurred in 2014 to 2015. Apart from this, a 30-feet protective wall was constructed for the construction of marine drive in Padizar West Bay. Due to the increase in mangroves,
Not only the population but also the habitats of different species and marine life are being affected by this. Sea turtles used to come near the coast (Investing Points) and lay their eggs, but now these habitats have also been lost to the sea. Where they used to come and lay eggs, but now they are no more.
He said that the fields and crops along with many houses have also been washed away in the sea. In many areas in Gwadar, sea water is coming out from the underground houses, which has caused danger to the population there.
Why and how does beach rise occur?
Due to the increase in temperature due to greenhouse effect, ice is melting, and this water is entering the sea.
Due to climate change, the temperature has increased, glaciers in Pakistan are melting, which increases the sea level, in summer, water molecules usually move away, and the water becomes more violent due to the increase in waves. The sea level also rises.
We can stop the sea water entering the coastal areas at different places, from where this water is added to the ground again.
Naseeb Noshirwani, chairman of Union Council Sarbandan of Gwadar, believes that the problem of sea level rise is causing problems for the local population.
Continuing his speech, he said that in Sarabandan, a union council with a population of 25,000 people, due to sea erosion, sea water is entering the houses due to which the floors of the houses and shops are getting damaged.
According to Naseeb Noshirwani, there are some areas in Sarbandan where the sea water is coming to the surface in the form of springs, and the septic tank for the bathroom is now full in a month.
This is also affecting the streets and roads of the area.
Noshirwani told Balochistan 24 that in this regard, the members of the local government should visit the said areas to review the issues, “Though the local government does not have the powers, but due to their negligence, no progress has been made.”
Why is the global sea level at a record high in three decades?
Sea levels are estimated to have risen by 20 to 23 cm (8 to 9 inches) since 1980.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported that in 2023, global sea levels will reach a record high in three decades.
If the period from 1993 to 2002 is taken into consideration, this height has more than doubled during the last 10 years.
