Once hailed as important to Pakistan’s economic prosperity, Gwadar is now becoming a major challenge for the country. The people of this coastal city were once unfamiliar with the effects of climate change but now are facing its harsh realities. According to a report in AP, in February of last year, the city experienced a 30-hour downpour that washed away roads, bridges, and communication lines. The torrential rain cut Gwadar off from the rest of Pakistan for several hours. Roads were destroyed, paths were blocked, and massive potholes formed, making daily life in the city more difficult.
As per the Voice of America (VOA) News report, Pakistan is struggling to unlock the potential of Gwadar Port, a deep-sea port in the southwest, despite significant investment. Gwadar, a city in Balochistan, remains at the heart of a long-standing independence struggle against Pakistan. Situated in southwestern Pakistan, Balochistan is an arid province with extreme weather conditions, making life difficult for residents. Gwadar, with a population of around 90,000, is built on sand dunes and surrounded by the Arabian Sea. Its low elevation makes it highly susceptible to climate change, adding to the region’s ongoing challenges.
As per a report from AP, Gwadar-based hydrologist Pazeer Ahmed has warned about the dire situation in Gwadar. “It’s no less than an island nation situation,” Gwadar-based hydrologist Pazeer Ahmed was quoted as saying by AP. He further added, “Many low-lying areas in the town will be partially or completely submerged if the sea level continues to rise.”
The Arabian Sea, once a boon for Gwadar’s fishing industry and domestic tourism, has now become a dire threat to both lives and livelihoods. Rising ocean temperatures are fueling larger and more powerful waves, which are further intensified by the strong monsoon winds of summer. Additionally, warmer air retains more moisture—approximately 7% more per degree Celsius (4% per degree Fahrenheit)—leading to an increase in extreme rainfall events, the report further stated.
Not only this, but the melting glaciers add to the rising sea levels. This is yet another alarming reason of coastal erosion. As per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s data, the sea level at Karachi increased by nearly 8 inches (about 20 centimeters) from 1916 to 2016. It is expected to rise by another half-inch (approximately 1.3 centimeters) by 2040.
Gwadar is the focal point of a large-scale Chinese-led project aimed at establishing an overland route connecting China’s western Xinjiang region to the Arabian Sea through Gwadar. The town has seen hundreds of millions of dollars invested in developing key infrastructure, including a deep seaport, an international airport, expressways, and other facilities. Many of the more sensitive projects, particularly the port, are heavily secured by the Pakistani military, kept out of public view and access.