National heritage in floods, water enters prehistoric site in Aamri

KARACHI: The worst floods in the history of the country after destroying villages, infrastructure, and public and private property, also pose a serious threat to the prehistoric archaeological sites of Sindh. On August 16, the water crossed the Indus Highway and entered the Laki Shah Saddar town, submerging more than 24 small villages near Manjhand town in district Dadu. By Wednesday afternoon, the waters inundated Aamri, a prehistoric archaeological and national heritage site of Pakistan. The floodwater has already damaged portions of the 5,000-year-old Mohenjo Daro that is on the list of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation of world heritage sites. Earlier, Sindh Antiquities Department Secretary Kaleem Lashari had warned that if the government does not make any arrangements, the floodwater would damage some of the world’s most ancient archaeological sites in Sindh. But despite the warnings, no arrangements have so far been made to protect these sites. Riaz, a resident of Aamri Town, told Daily Times that the floodwater from the River Indus started pouring in two days ago and by Wednesday it had entered the ruins of Aamri and inundated major portions of the prehistoric site. amar guriro