Daily Times

Sir: The first week of July has passed but there are still no signs of rainfall in Thar this year. Pakistan Meteorology Department has previously forecast scattered rain pattern in different parts of the country with less rainfall in Sindh and Balochistan. Monsoon rains have already started in the northern parts of the country, but Thar is still in the grip of intense monsoon winds, which indicates delayed or scanty rain in this arid zone. Occasional or mild rains are not sufficient to provide livelihood for both human inhabitants and their livestock in Thar. Regular rainfall with a suitable period of at least three months are needed for a full impact on harvesting. The concerned authorities of Sindh and federal government need to take note of the imminent danger of drought in Thar so that they could take pre-emptive measures to decrease the miseries of Tharis during the coming months.

Prof Dr Muhammed Mubarak

Karachi