The Sindh government has decided to declare Tharparkar a disaster-hit district following severe drought conditions that have damaged crops and affected livelihoods across the region. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed relevant departments to take immediate steps to provide relief to affected residents and address the worsening situation.
During a briefing, the chief minister was informed that drought-like conditions had affected all seven tehsils of Tharparkar. According to the Agriculture Extension Department, around 85 to 90 per cent of crops across the district have either been destroyed or become unproductive because of inadequate and uneven rainfall.
The crop losses have raised concerns about the livelihoods of farmers and the availability of fodder for livestock. Officials also reported that the district’s seven tehsils received only 1 to 36 millimetres of rainfall during September 2026. Uneven rainfall caused crops and natural grass to dry up before reaching maturity, further worsening the situation.
Murad Ali Shah directed authorities to ensure an uninterrupted supply of drinking water to residents in drought-affected areas. He also ordered the immediate repair and restoration of non-functional reverse osmosis (RO) plants to improve access to clean drinking water.
The chief minister instructed officials to restore existing water supply sources without delay. He also directed the chief secretary to assess the feasibility of laying a water supply pipeline from Naukot to Mithi as a possible long-term solution to Tharparkar’s water shortages.
The relevant authorities have also been asked to prepare recommendations for protecting livestock and providing relief to animals affected by the drought. The chief minister emphasised the need for long-term planning to establish a reliable water supply between Naukot and Mithi.
Murad Ali Shah assured residents that the provincial government would provide assistance to communities affected by the crisis. The proposed disaster-hit status and relief measures are aimed at addressing the immediate challenges facing residents, farmers and livestock owners across Tharparkar.
