The impact of sea intrusion is worsening along Sindh’s coastline, putting the lives and livelihoods of local fishermen at risk. In Keti Bander and nearby areas, communities face the constant struggle of rising seawater and land erosion. Fishermen returning from the Arabian Sea say that freshwater from the Indus River brings hope, as it boosts fish growth when it meets the sea. For them, seasonal floods are a blessing that push the sea back and revive marine life.
However, this relief is short-lived. The once-thriving coastal belt of Sindh is now facing rapid submersion. Nearly half of Keti Bander’s land is already underwater, while Kharochan city has almost disappeared. The Sindh authorities confirm that 29 out of 32 Dehs in Sujawal district have been swallowed by the sea. Local residents are migrating in large numbers, leaving behind their homes and fishing livelihoods.
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Experts warn that sea intrusion continues to move inland at an alarming rate. Studies by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) and the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) show saline water intrusion stretching up to 140 kilometers toward Kotri. The research also found that the intrusion deepens below 100 meters, destroying underground water quality. Scientists link this rise in seawater to weak river flows, land erosion, and strong winds from the southwest.
In addition, land subsidence is accelerating the crisis. Experts report that the ground in parts of the Indus delta, especially near Daboo Creek, is sinking by several centimeters. The extraction of groundwater and natural resources is creating a vacuum underground, making these areas more prone to erosion and flooding. This combination of sinking land and seawater advance makes Sindh’s delta extremely vulnerable to future coastal disasters.
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Local fishermen hope that steady Indus flows will control sea intrusion and bring life back to the delta. But as river levels drop in winter, their struggle intensifies. Without consistent freshwater reaching the sea, the coastline will continue to shrink, threatening both nature and the people who depend on it for survival.