Pakistan is home to some of South Asia’s oldest and most important headworks, playing a vital role in water distribution, irrigation, and flood management. These century-old engineering marvels were designed to withstand the challenges of their time, but today, they are facing severe pressure due to climate change and record-breaking floods.
Among the most notable structures are:
- Sukkur Barrage (1932) – One of the largest irrigation systems in the world.
- Balloki Headworks (1911) – A key structure on the Ravi River.
- Trimmu Headworks (1939) – Built to manage flows from the Chenab and Jhelum rivers.
- Panjnad Headworks (1932) – Connecting five rivers of Punjab.
- Marala Headworks (1968) – A crucial control point on the Chenab River.
Most of these headworks, built between 70 to 110 years ago, were engineered for a different era. With today’s rising water levels and extreme rainfall patterns, they are under immense strain, raising concerns about long-term sustainability and safety.
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Experts stress the urgent need for modernization, reinforcement, and innovative water management strategies to protect millions of people who depend on these systems for agriculture and flood defense.
