Unexpected Rainfall in Gwadar Leads to Severe Flooding

Zareef Baloch 

Gwadar: After unexpected rainfall inundated Gwadar, residents like Shama found themselves in disbelief as water seeped into their homes and flooded the streets. 

“We never imagined our houses would be underwater, but in February, the rain took us by surprise,” Shama recounts, reflecting the sentiments of many in the community.

Following unprecedented rainfall in February 2024, Gwadar has been left reeling from severe flooding, catching residents off guard and causing widespread devastation. 

Traditionally arid, Gwadar seldom experiences substantial rainfall, but this recent deluge has submerged homes, streets, and agricultural lands, displacing thousands and claiming homes and livestock.Residents like Shama express shock at the sudden inundation, remarking on the unexpected nature of the downpour. 

The city, situated at the base of a mountain, faced acute flooding as natural water channels, previously vital for drainage, were obstructed by ongoing development projects such as the Gwadar Marine Drive and Expressway. 

These infrastructure ventures, criticized by local political groups and inhabitants, are blamed for exacerbating the flooding by impeding the natural flow of water through the city.

Pazeer Baloch, a local hydrologist, emphasizes that Gwadar’s topography—a low-lying coastal plain, in some areas even below sea level—renders it particularly vulnerable to urban flooding exacerbated by unplanned urbanization and inadequate drainage systems. He warns that the combination of rising sea levels due to climate change and unchecked urban expansion poses an increasingly grave threat to the city’s future resilience.

Javed Baloch, a local journalist and advocate for sustainable development, underscores the role of climate change in intensifying these weather extremes. 

He asserts that unless comprehensive measures are taken to improve infrastructure and urban planning, Gwadar will continue to face escalating risks from erratic weather patterns and rising sea levels.

As rescue and relief efforts continue amidst the ongoing crisis, the flooding in Gwadar serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable development practices and adaptive strategies to safeguard coastal communities against the mounting challenges of climate change.