Karachi:
In the middle of the endless water crisis of the city, the bore of underground water has become a crucial mode to provide the need for survival. However, popular practice has been examined while experts debate its correlation with an unprecedented increase in earthquakes striking Karachi.
According to chief meteorologist Ameer Haider Laghari, since June 1, the areas of the eastern part of Karachi, including Landhi, Malir, Korangi and Quaidabad, experienced 57 tremors with amplitudes ranging from 1.5 to 3.8 on the Richter scale. Although these tremors are minor, their frequency has caused significant fear and anxiety among residents.
In these areas, the extraction of groundwater by boredom has increased significantly over the years following which land in these regions would have disappeared. Although there is no scientific evidence directly connecting the recent earthquakes and the subsidence of land to the activity of agitation and construction, it is a hypothesis requiring a complete study.
Dr. Adnan Khan of the Geology Department of the University of Karachi explained that in many regions of Karachi, in particular Landhi, Korangi and Malir, the absence of a regular water supply system had led residents, industries and RO plants to strongly rely on the extraction of underground water. “Lands in areas like Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Defense and North Karachi have decreased by 15 centimeters and flows to an annual rate of 1.5 centimeters,” said Dr. Khan.
Dr. Nauman Ahmed, professor at the University of Ned, said that although earthquakes have occurred on a large scale and could not be definitively linked to boring extraction, excessive extraction of groundwater was an unnatural process, so the areas where snowfielding is prevalent has probably developed weakened underground structures.
“While the water is extracted from the under the surface, a vacuum is created, which makes the position under natural land vulnerable, weakening the foundations of the houses. These factors increase the risk of structural damage in these areas during earthquakes or otherwise,” said Dr Ahmed, who urged the government to carry out a detailed study of the affected areas, identifying the damage caused by agitation and taking action to approach the situation.
“Scientific research suggests that the movement of tectonic plates on local flaws lines causes land sagging. However, it is under observation that excessive extraction of groundwater occurs in areas like Landhi, Malir and Korangi, where earthquakes are also recorded, and the earth is flowing. A detailed study is necessary to determine the exact cause”, added Dr. Khan.
Dr. Masood Rafi, president of the Department of Earthquakes of Term of NED University, identified two main causes of land subsidence in Karachi: the construction of small and large buildings and the in -depth use of underground water.
“Due to the water crisis in many regions, residents have used alternative methods, such as boredom, to extract groundwater. Extraction to avoid other damage,” said Dr. Rafi.
On the other hand, Dr. Khan warned that although Karachi’s local flaws were not very dangerous, the city was in danger of the surrounding tectonic plates, especially those of India and Balutchistan.
“Strong earthquakes in these regions could cause destruction through Karachi, which is part of the Indian tectonic plate. About 110 kilometers west of the city is a point where three plates: Indian, Eurasian and Arab bands.
