Kharochan (also written Kharo Chan) is a delta town in Sujawal District, Sindh, that has lost most of its land to the sea. Its population fell from about 26,000 in 1981 to about 11,000 in 2023, according to census figures reported by Arab News. It is not a tourist destination, and there is no organised way to visit, but it is one of the clearest examples of what is happening across the Indus delta.
This post explains what has happened at Kharochan, what reaching it involves, and why most visitors to the delta stop at Keti Bandar instead.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| District | Sujawal, Sindh (formerly part of Thatta) |
| Population | About 26,000 in 1981; about 11,000 in 2023 |
| Land under water | Roughly 400,000 acres, about two thirds of the taluka (Dawn, 2025) |
| Access | By boat; seen across the river from Keti Bandar's jetty |
| Tourist facilities | None that we could verify |
What is happening at Kharochan?
Kharochan sits low in the delta, where the Indus has little fresh water left to push back the sea. Dawn reported in 2025 that about 400,000 acres of Kharochan taluka, some 67 per cent of its land, is submerged. The town once had about 40 villages, and most have gone under salt water or been abandoned.
Residents quoted by Arab News describe salt water on all four sides, empty houses of wood and bamboo, and an evening quiet where stray dogs walk through deserted lanes. Fish stocks have also fallen, which removes the livelihood that once made up for poor farmland.
The Express Tribune reported in July 2026 that families across the coast have moved repeatedly, in some villages four times in thirty years, and that shrines and old ports along this coast have been submerged.
How much has the coast moved?
Research on shoreline change by Dr Altaf Siyal, reported by Dawn, compared 1972 with 2017 and found that the left bank of the river in Sujawal had retreated by roughly 1 to 1.24 km, and the right bank in Thatta by about 0.4 to 0.68 km. Those figures are for the river banks, not the open coast, but they show how quickly a flat delta changes.
Local reports go further. A widely quoted count says that 29 of 32 administrative villages (dehs) in the Kharochan area have been swallowed by the sea, and that the remaining three are fighting for survival. Different reports draw the boundary differently, so read it as an indication of scale.
Why is the delta losing land?
The short answer is that the river no longer reaches the sea in the volume it used to. Dams, barrages and canals upstream, beginning with the barrages built in the 20th century, have cut water and silt to the delta. Downstream flow is estimated to have fallen about 80 per cent since the 1950s, according to a 2018 study cited by Arab News. Without silt, the land sinks and erodes, and without fresh water, salt moves in.
Our Indus delta overview covers this in more detail.
Can tourists visit Kharochan?
In practice, very few do, and we found no tour operators, hotels or public transport that we could verify. Dawn describes reaching Kharochan by boat from Keti Bandar: from the jetty you look across the river to a plantation of mangroves, and Kharochan lies beyond it, like an island. A boat ride to the delta's creeks is described as about an hour to Khobar Creek, but we could not find a reliable published journey time or fare for Kharochan itself.
If you are set on going, do it properly:
- Start from Keti Bandar, about 150 km from Karachi by road, and speak to boatmen there. Our Keti Bandar guide covers the route.
- Agree the destination, fare, and return time before leaving, and do not go if the weather or tide is poor.
- Wear a life jacket and carry your own water and food; there is little to buy.
- Treat it as visiting people's homes, not sightseeing. Ask before photographing anyone.
Kharochan is not on the UK government's list of places advised against, but boat travel, remoteness and the lack of medical help are real risks. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice and insurance cover.
Is it worth going?
For most travellers, Keti Bandar gives you the same picture with far less effort: the same creeks, the same fishing community and the same seawater problem, on a shorter journey. Kharochan is for people with a specific reason, such as research, journalism or documentation, and local contacts who can take them.
If you only want a look at the delta, see places to visit in Sindh for easier options.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kharochan?
In the Indus delta in Sujawal District, Sindh, across the river from Keti Bandar.
Is Kharochan sinking?
The sea has taken most of its land. Dawn reported about two thirds of the taluka submerged in 2025, and the population has fallen sharply.
How do you get to Kharochan?
By boat from Keti Bandar. We could not find a reliable published fare or journey time, so ask boatmen and agree terms first.
Do tourists visit Kharochan?
Very few. There are no facilities or organised tours that we could verify.