Heavy Rains Cripple Sindh’s Coastal Belt, Forcing Thousands of Fishermen Into Poverty

Staff Reporter

Karachi: Sindh’s coastal belt has been battered by heavy rains and strong winds, forcing thousands of boats and launches to remain anchored at jetties and shores. The suspension of fishing activities has left millions of fishermen without livelihoods, plunging already vulnerable communities into deep hardship.

Areas including Mubarak Village, Baba Island, Abdul Rehman Goth, Kalu Yunusabad, Ibrahim Hyderi, Rehri Goth, Ali Akbar Shah, Jummo Goth, Latt Basti, Chashma Goth, Chhato, Sujawal, Badin, Shah Bandar, Keti Bandar, Kharo Chan, Jati, and Chhor Jamali are among the worst affected, where the fishing community’s earnings have completely halted, leading to hunger and rising poverty.

According to a survey by the Coastal Media Center Ibrahim Hyderi, fishermen belong to the poorest segment of society, with daily survival dependent entirely on the sea. “They can only feed their children when they go out fishing, but the rains and bad weather have turned their lives miserable,” the report noted.

The report further urged the Sindh government and the Fishermen Cooperative Society to step in with urgent relief. Despite contributing nearly Rs. 24 billion annually in revenue to the provincial government, fishermen remain deprived of basic assistance.

Community representatives have demanded that until weather conditions stabilize, each fishing family should be provided with at least one month’s ration to sustain their households.