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Karachi, a metropolitan city, is facing rapid population growth causing environmental, social and economic stresses and challenges. Beside planned development, unplanned urbanization, urban slums, illegal and informal settlements, and encroachments on natural drains have radically changed landuse and drainage pattern of Karachi. One of the biggest challenges that Karachi is facing now-a-days is localized floods after heavy rain episodes due to increased surface overflow rates coupled with the blockages of natural drains. In Karachi there are two main rivers, Lyari and Malir, which play a major role in draining storm water of the city. At present, these rivers are severely affected by urbanization and bad management that caused blockages at many locations. This paper investigates the changes in landuse and their impacts on natural drainage pattern of Malir River basin over the past 16 years (2000-2015). Geospatial techniques are used to analyze landuse and landcover changes of upper Malir River basin. Satellite derived Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and topographic sheets (1950s) are used to delineate natural drainage pattern of Malir district. Landuse/landcover and river drainage maps are overlaid to identify critical areas where natural river bed has been encroached. Most part of the Malir River basin has been occupied by agricultural fields and urban settlements which caused narrowing of the river and complete blockage at some locations. The blockages shown on the output maps can be utilized for the revival of natural drainage network of Malir River basin. The beneficiaries of this study may include, but not limited to, the urban planners, Sindh development authorities and flood mitigation and management agencies.

Sumaira Zafar, Arjumand Zaidi. (2015) Landuse Changes and their Impacts on Natural Drainage System of Malir River Basin, Journal of Space Technology , Volume 5, Issue 1.
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