by: Aleena Nazir (SDPI)
Water is the most important part of our life. Without water there is no life on earth. unfortunately, water levels are declining and various factors are contributing to this shortage. In recent years, Pakistan has experienced severe water shortages, floods and declining water quality. One of the most serious problems Pakistan is currently facing is the water crisis. Pakistan is the most populous country in agriculture, and much of the economy depends on water for growing crops. But alarmingly, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan is the third country most affected by water scarcity. If the water crisis worsens, it could have far-reaching consequences for Pakistan’s political, financial, and environmental well-being.
In Pakistan, 80 percent of the people in 24 major cities do not have access to clean water. In the Karachi slums, 16 million have no running water. For many people who do not have running water, they rely on water trucks to fill their families and family tanks. A water truck can come once a week. Besides, according to a news report ‘70 per cent of Pakistan’s water is not suitable for human consumption’. There is no denying that Pakistan is a water-stressed country at the moment but if concrete steps are not taken in this way, in an instant, Pakistan will be a water-stressed country by 2025.
Glaciers are a major source of water supply to Pakistan, however, according to research the glaciers in Pakistan are melting continuously due to rising temperatures as well. By 2050, Pakistan will no longer have frozen water reservoirs.
The Tarbela and Mangla dams are the only major dams in Pakistan that can store floodwaters. By 2018, both had reached their “dead” levels, meaning they did not have enough water to work. Pakistan’s total water capacity is 30 days for standard demand. In addition, he says Pakistan receives about 145 million water, but can store 13.7 acres of water. Pakistan needs 40 million acres of water but 29 acres of feet are wasted due to lack of dams. Delays in the construction of dams and reservoirs also pose a threat to the amount of water available for domestic and agricultural and industrial use.
At the national level, the construction of new dams is essential to meet the ever-increasing demand for water. The construction of the Kalabagh dam is important because it will build a 6.1 million-square-foot storage dam. The government should also divert its attention to the rapid construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, which, if built, will be able to store 8 MAF water.
In 2018, the Pakistani government appealed to national and international Pakistan to help fund a $ 14 billion project to build two dams. The purpose of the dam is to help Pakistan save more water and provide Pakistan with electricity. Although many Pakistani celebrities have donated to the dam, much money is still needed to complete the project.
In such a situation, steps need to be taken to save water and to address the coming water crisis. The first step to take is to provide the public with awareness programs so that they can try their best to save water. The people of Pakistan should be well informed of this situation, so that they can save as much water as possible.
In addition, as there is a shortage of lakes and dams, Government must embark on major dams projects. One such example is the Diamer-Bhasha Dam from which funds were collected. Government must invest in major dam projects so that we can save needed flood water.
The government needs to take some steps to delay the water crisis in Pakistan. The Pakistan Academy of Sciences has said the country needs to increase water management, reduce wastewater, improve water production and create a framework to assist with surface and groundwater management. Although the clock is touting Pakistan’s water supply, the government has begun to take action. Hopefully it will be able to repair some damage before it is too late.