Why Does Rain No Longer Bless Gwadar?
By: Yaqoob Puxh
For the past few decades, Gwadar has experienced fewer rainy seasons, with significant rainfall now arriving only after long gaps of two or more years. When consistent rain is absent, the region’s rain-fed dams fail to fill up, leading to early signs of drought.
The entire district’s water supply depends on these dams. In well-planned societies, recurring natural challenges like drought are addressed through long-term strategies and policies. However, in our case, despite repeated drought conditions, neither the authorities nor the system has taken serious steps to prepare or prevent such crises.
Many ask: Why doesn’t it rain in Gwadar, even though the monsoon season arrives every year? Clouds appear in the sky during their usual season, but still, no rain.
The common belief is that rainfall is a natural process, beyond human control. While this may seem true on the surface, modern science does not fully agree with this notion.
Just like every engine needs fuel to operate, clouds too require a form of fuel to produce rain, and that fuel is trees.
Trees play a key role in creating the right conditions for rainfall. Unfortunately, in our region, trees are given little to no value. Gwadar’s forests are being cut down at a dangerous pace, without any accountability.
Today, several timber mills operate in Gwadar. These mills have become centers of illegal deforestation, supported by organized groups who cut down decades-old trees for quick profit. Locals, often driven by poverty, sell these trees to the mills for a fraction of their real value. Mill owners then chop the trees into small pieces to sell as fuel. mainly to tandoor (bread oven) shops.
Goods transporters, instead of returning empty from Gwadar, load this cheap wood from local mills and sell it in big cities at higher prices.
This deforestation has led to a sharp decline in seasonal rainfall, growing drought-like conditions, and even daily protests over water shortages.
The only way to protect Gwadar from severe drought is to completely ban deforestation, encourage mass tree plantation, and enforce strict penalties and jail terms for illegal tree cutters.
Saving our trees means saving our water, our climate, and our future.