Discourses of Aftermath in Shikarpur by Hira Munir

Public Project

Discourses of Aftermath in Shikarpur

Copyright Hira Munir 2024

Updated Apr 2023

Location Sindh, Pakistan

Topics environment [featured]

The sorrows of Sindh are an ocean

Fathomless, impenetrable.

In the dark waves of the ocean

My mind is tossed

And floats

In its own darkness and sorrows

Look, it flaps its wings

To callout for

Light.

Look, it has become weary,

It goes down in the deep dark,

It sinks

Without a trace.

Songs of Freedom- Shaikh Ayaz

[From the poet’s prison notebook]

"Monster Monsoon" as some are calling it. It began in mid-June, Pakistan came under a heavy, non-stop monsoon cycle and presently struggling to recover as 33 million people have been displaced. The damage due to rain and flood water is too severe and immeasurable. As the roads began to sink by flood water, villages and towns were disconnected from the rest of the country. In Sindh, many cities were flooded, and some are still under water after three months of continuous rains. No matter where you look- there is water everywhere.

This photo essay is a discourse on the aftermath in one of the oldest cities in Sindh- Shikarpur (شڪارپور in Sindhi) and its adjacent surroundings- known as an emerald city in the past and a famous trade route through Bolan Pass. Shikarpur is situated about 29km west of the right bank of the Indus River. As the news coverage followed the flood waters to its targeted cities and villages- I began my journey to Shikarpur, which is still suffering from remnants of the flood as its adjacent villages and fields are all submerged in the water. While looking at the overall picture of such a massive disaster, it is crucial to look at it from a deeper perspective to understand what actually is a humanitarian crisis.

A young compassionate landlord finds ways to help his people and save his land. A farmer lost his roof, fields, and livestock. A man is sitting under a camp, waiting as his house is submerged in stagnant water. A woman loses her sister due to disease during rain and chaos. A historic barrage consisting of 66 spans (outfall gates) failed to control the flooded Indus and its speed.

3,774

Hira Munir

Also by Hira Munir —

Karachi's Malir River Guardians: Defending Land, Culture, and Ecology

From the river to the sea

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People of the Sea

Balochistan Relief Camp

Legacy

Shades of Glass