ISLAMABAD, March 20 (Alliance News): Pakistan’s largest reservoir, Tarbela Dam, is on the verge of reaching its dead level of 1,402 feet, exacerbating the country’s water crisis, which has already caused shortages of up to 41% at rim stations and 50-55% at canal heads.
Mangla Dam is facing a similar situation, with water levels at 1,054 feet, just four feet above its dead level. With inflows of 23,236 cusecs and outflows of 20,351 cusecs, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has urged the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) to begin storing water to prevent silt damage to power turbines.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has already warned of emerging drought conditions in 13 districts of Sindh, including Karachi and Hyderabad, due to exceptionally low rainfall during the Rabi season. Officials predict that if current inflow trends persist, Sindh could face over 50% water shortages in late March and early Kharif season.
IRSA has decided to store 3,000 cusecs per day in Mangla Dam, aiming to raise its level to 1,070 feet to protect power turbines. Meanwhile, Tarbela’s inflows stand at 13,800 cusecs, with outflows at 20,000 cusecs per day.
Currently, Punjab is receiving 35,000 cusecs, while Sindh is being provided 22,300 cusecs, but overall shortages remain severe. If conditions fail to improve by April 10, 2025, Kharif crops, early cotton sowing, and sugarcane production could be significantly affected.
However, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts that rising temperatures (5-7°C) in the Indus River catchment areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir after April 10 could improve water flows. If this happens, the Kharif season water shortage may be reduced to 20-25%.
Currently, Pakistan’s total water storage has plummeted to 0.086 million acre-feet (MAF), with total system inflows at 64,600 cusecs and outflows at 63,500 cusecs, highlighting the critical state of the country’s water reserves.
