Title: Impacts of Seawater Intrusion Around Tidal Link

(NDP Seminar-I, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan 2001)

 Author: Habib Ursani

 

The Tidal Link is a main component of LBOD (Left Bank Out Fall Drainage) project and it was constructed to drain out the saline effluent into the Arabian Sea through an active creek “ Shah Samando Creek” leading to “Seer Creek” in district Thatta. Unfortunately after the completion of the project it has negative impact on environment. The coastal district Thatta and Badin, already under the danger of seawater intrusion, more over due to the failure of Tidal link   the outfall drains of Karo-Gungro and Fulleli- Guni, and Ahmed Rajo Branch drain of Kotri Barrage Surface Drainage Schemes and a number of small depression and water bodies of Tidal project area are under the influence of backwater from Tidal Channel. This paper highlighted the level of seawater intrusion and its Environmental impact, by using GIS software “Arc View” and aerial photography of 1954 and 1975 and satellite imageries of 1973, 1977, 1989, 1991 (all pre construction), 1994 (during construction), and 1997, 2001   (post construction). These images show the general layout of Tidal Link and the associated water bodies. The GIS analysis show that the areas of agriculture that occur to the north and east of the water bodies that was historic flood plane have been badly affected by the seawater flooding

 

Complete paper will be provided on request