Larkana | ReNews Pakistan
The rapidly shifting course of the Indus River near Larkana has raised serious concerns over the safety of residential areas, agricultural land, property investments and future housing developments, as a SUPARCO satellite analysis shows that the river’s active channel has shifted by approximately 4.5 kilometres over the past 35 years.
According to the SUPARCO satellite analysis, a significant change has been recorded in the flow of the Indus near the Moria Loop Bund, east of Larkana city. The changing river course has brought the active channel closer to a critical section of the flood protection bund, increasing the risk of breaches during severe flooding or exceptionally high river flows.
The situation also presents a major challenge for Pakistan’s property and urban planning sectors, particularly at a time when the country is facing a severe housing shortage. According to figures cited from the State Bank of Pakistan, the country faces a housing deficit of around 10 million units, with the shortfall increasing by approximately 350,000 units every year.
Experts warn that housing expansion without considering floodplains, river corridors and natural drainage routes could expose thousands of families, as well as billions of rupees invested in property and infrastructure, to significant future risks.
The devastating floods of 2010 provide a historical example of such vulnerabilities. Proceedings of the Flood Commission constituted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan highlighted how the expansion of settlements and construction along river corridors had significantly obstructed the natural flow of floodwaters, contributing to widespread destruction across several districts.
At the Tori Bund site, several new settlements and fish ponds had been established within the loop area. These developments were among the factors associated with the subsequent catastrophic breach of the bund. The resulting floods affected large parts of Sindh, forcing residents to evacuate and causing extensive damage to homes, agricultural land and livelihoods.
Water resources expert Zulfiqar Ali Halepoto has pointed to the continued expansion of development activities in riverine areas, saying that lessons learned from past floods have not been adequately incorporated into land-use policies and urban planning.
Recent satellite observations around the Moria and Aqeel Loop Bund areas indicate that approximately 2,000 hectares of land along the left bank of the Indus have been eroded and lost to the river. This erosion has reduced the area of agricultural and floodplain land while bringing the active river channel closer to the existing protective bund.
Meanwhile, sediment and sand deposition along the opposite bank has created approximately 1,600 hectares of new potentially cultivable land. However, experts caution that this newly formed land remains vulnerable and temporary in nature because the river could change course again in the future. It therefore cannot be considered safe for permanent agricultural use or property development without a proper risk assessment.
The threat is not limited to Larkana. A comparative review of 2025 satellite imagery from the Latifabad area of Hyderabad further indicates that urban expansion has encroached upon parts of the natural riverine protection belt.
Areas that once consisted of agricultural and open land, providing natural space for absorbing rainwater and allowing excess floodwater to spread, have increasingly been replaced by permanent residential structures, roads and other infrastructure.
Construction across natural floodplains can restrict the pathways available for excess water generated by intense monsoon rainfall or by increased flows resulting from snow and glacier melt in upstream areas. This can raise water levels and flow velocities while increasing pressure on protective bunds and nearby settlements.
A further comparison of satellite images of Larkana from 1990 and 2025 highlights the growing interaction between the changing course of the Indus and urban expansion. In 1990, the river’s main channel passed several kilometres away from the flood protection bund, following a broad curve. Over time, erosion and sediment deposition have caused the main channel to shift eastward.
The danger is no longer limited to floodwaters overtopping the bund. Continued erosion and the washing away of soil beneath the structure could also weaken its foundation. In the event of a sudden breach, floodwaters could rapidly enter nearby residential and agricultural areas, leaving limited time for evacuation and potentially causing severe damage to homes, land and critical infrastructure.
The situation underscores the need to make formal flood risk assessments a mandatory component of approvals for new housing schemes and urban expansion. Experts say that instead of approving housing projects solely on the basis of land availability and rising residential demand, urban planning must also incorporate the natural flow of rivers, floodplains, drainage systems and environmental risks.
A risk sensitive approach to land-use planning, experts stress, is essential to protect communities, agricultural assets and property investments from the growing threat posed by changing river courses and extreme flood events.

Larkana: ReNews Pakistan
Despite a decision taken in January to send a cluster of coins discovered at the Mohenjo-Daro archaeological site to a laboratory in Karachi for age determination, the artefacts are still lying at the site, raising concerns among experts regarding their preservation and timely analysis.
According to sources, the coins were unearthed during excavation activities at the historic site and were initially believed to hold significant archaeological value. Authorities had decided to dispatch them to a specialised laboratory in Karachi to conduct scientific testing and authentication, which would help determine their historical period and origin.
However, despite the passage of several weeks, the artefacts have not yet been transported and remain at Mohenjo-Daro under local supervision. Experts have expressed concern that delays in testing could affect both the preservation of the coins and the accuracy of research findings.
Officials from the relevant department have cited administrative and logistical hurdles as reasons for the delay, stating that arrangements for secure transportation and proper documentation are still being finalised.
Archaeologists have stressed the importance of prompt scientific examination, noting that such artefacts could provide valuable insights into the region’s historical timeline and trade practices. They have urged authorities to expedite the process to ensure the artefacts are preserved and studied under controlled conditions.
Mohenjo-Daro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains one of the most significant centres of the Indus Valley Civilisation, and discoveries at the site continue to attract both national and international attention.