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Moenjodaro ruins in jeopardy after rains

* Accumulated water threatens irreparable damage to archaeological site * Villagers allege no steps taken to drain out water

By Amar Guriro

KARACHI: The ruins of Moenjodaro, the ancient civilisation of Indus valley dating back to 3,500 BC, are on the verge of irreparable destruction after being badly damaged during the recent spell of rains.

A heavy quantity of rainwater has accumulated in the ruins of the archaeological site and could cause irreversible damage if immediate steps are not taken to drain out the water.

The historical ruins of Moenjodaro are located on eastern side of Indus River at distance of five kilometres, and about 20 kilometres on the south of Larkana district.

The recent monsoon showers inundated several areas in interior Sindh and according to Chief Meteorologist Muhammad Riaz, Larkana district received about 63 millimetres of rain on Saturday.

During the heavy downpour, some walls were partially damaged and rainwater has accumulated in different parts of the historical city. Local residents of Moenjodaro town alleged that despite passage of three days, no initiatives have yet been taken by the authorities concerned for drainage of the rainwater from the ruins.

Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism Sassui Palejo rejected the villagers’ allegation and said that though this issue did not relate to her ministry, she had directed the Larkana DCO for drainage of rainwater from the ruins.

“It is unfortunate that administratively, all the archaeological sites of Sindh are under the control of the federal government, which has allocated only Rs 0.8 million annually for preservation and renovation of all the heritage sites of the province…this amount is nothing, and we have forwarded a summary to the federal government to transfer the administrative control of historical sites to the provincial government,” said Palejo.

She said after her directives the Larkana DCO has sent two machines and some labourers to the historical site to drain out the rainwater.

Larkana DCO Abdul Aziz Uqaili said declined to comment.

Abdul Haq Pirzado, archaeological expert and resident of Balahraji, a small village near Moenjodaro, told Daily Times that the recent monsoon downpour has not damaged the lower area of Moenjodaro, where houses, shops and craft workshops were located, but rainwater had accumulated around the main Stupa in shape of a small pond. On at least three occasions, the extent of flooding was so severe that the city was swamped making extensive rebuilding necessary, he added.

Sassui Palejo said the federal government has handed over the historical sites of Punjab to the provincial government but the southern circle including Sindh and Balochistan comes under single directorate and the sites of both provinces have yet not given the control of heritage sites. “Not just Moenjodaro, but other sites including Makli, Ranikot and others have also been affected by rains and weather-related causes and need immediate funds to be rescued,” she said.

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