Islamabad, Mar 6 2025: Severe Water Crisis Looms as Major Dams Hold Only 5 Days’ Reserves. Sindh is grappling with an alarming water shortage as the provincial Irrigation Department has raised urgent concerns over the rapid depletion of the country’s major reservoirs.
Major Dams Hold Only 5 Days’ Reserves, Officials warn that both Mangla and Tarbela dams are on the verge of running dry within the next few days, escalating the threat to water availability across the region.
According to official documents, the dwindling water levels in these critical reservoirs could trigger a severe crisis, affecting millions of residents across Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and other cities.
The Sindh Irrigation Department attributes this crisis to minimal rainfall during the Rabi season 2024-25, which has drastically reduced the country’s water reserves.
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As per the latest figures from March 3, 2025, Tarbela Dam currently holds a mere 0.102 million acre-feet of water, while Mangla Dam’s reserves stand at 0.226 million acre-feet.
Officials estimate that water shortages could surpass 50% throughout March and persist into the next season, posing a significant risk to agriculture and drinking water supplies.
Farmers and urban populations alike may face dire consequences as irrigation systems and household water provisions come under strain. To mitigate the crisis, authorities have urged a strategic and equitable distribution of available water resources.
The government is also considering rationing measures to ensure that essential needs are met while managing the limited supply efficiently. The looming crisis underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management and conservation strategies.
Experts emphasize that the province must explore long-term solutions, including rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation techniques, and the construction of additional water storage facilities to avert future shortages.
As Sindh struggles to cope with this worsening emergency, the government’s response in the coming days will be crucial in determining how well the province can manage and recover from this unprecedented water scarcity.
