WEBDEK: Pakistan is facing a serious water crisis as river levels drop to dangerously low points due to a long-lasting drought. The shortage is hitting Sindh, Balochistan, and South Punjab the hardest, with experts warning of even worse conditions ahead if no action is taken.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reports that the country received 40per cent less rainfall than usual between September 2024 and March 2025. Sindh has seen a 62per cent decrease in rainfall, Balochistan 52per cent, and Punjab 38per cent. This has severely affected both agriculture and drinking water supplies.
Major dams, including Tarbela and Mangla, are now close to their dead levels, indicating critically low water reserves. River flows have also declined sharply, further worsening the situation.
The Jhelum River is experiencing extreme drought, leading to a severe water shortage in Punjab. As a result, power generation at Mangla Dam has completely stopped, intensifying the country’s energy crisis.
Officials have confirmed that Mangla Dam has reached its dead level, making electricity production impossible. Normally, the dam generates 1,050 megawatts of power, but it has remained dry since last week.
Several districts are already suffering from extreme drought. In Sindh, areas like Karachi, Hyderabad, Badin, Tharparkar, and Larkana are struggling. Balochistan’s Gwadar, Kech, Lasbela, and Panjgur are also facing severe shortages. In Punjab, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan are among the most affected regions.
Experts warn that if the dry weather continues and temperatures rise in the coming months, the water crisis will become even more severe. Urgent measures are needed to address the situation before it worsens further.
However according to the Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) advisory rain is expected in different cities of Pakistan including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Sargodha, Mianwali, Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sialkot from March 25 to 27, 2025. This change in weather is expected to bring relief from rising temperatures and refresh the atmosphere. However people are also wondering what the weather will be like on Eid.
