Landhi and Malir areas in Karachi at risk of sinking, experts warn

A recent study by geologists from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University has raised serious concerns about the stability of Karachi’s Landhi and Malir areas, revealing that these regions have sunk by 15.7 centimetres between 2014 and 2020.

The report identifies Karachi as one of the fastest-sinking urban areas in the world, second only to Tianjin, China. The alarming rate of land subsidence has been attributed primarily to excessive groundwater extraction and the rapid construction of high-rise buildings.

Geologists further highlighted Karachi’s vulnerable location near the collision point of three major tectonic plates, the Indian, Eurasian, and Arabian, making it prone not only to land subsidence but also to potential seismic activity.

Read: Karachi may experience severe earthquake this week: ENRC

The report stated that if current practices of groundwater withdrawal and unregulated construction continue, more areas of the city could experience subsidence, adding, “it also raises the possibility of heightened earthquake risk in the region.”

Experts are urging authorities to take immediate preventive measures. Proposed solutions include the installation of seawater desalination plants to reduce dependency on groundwater and a strict ban on the construction of new high-rise buildings in at-risk zones.

Environmentalists and urban planners seeking for swift government intervention to prevent further geological and structural damage to Pakistan’s largest city.