ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Pakistan is grappling with a critical water crisis as the country’s key reservoirs have reached their dead levels amid an ongoing drought. The water shortage has further exacerbated the energy crisis, with the country’s hydropower generation severely impacted.
Major Dams at Dead Level
As of this week, Tarbela, Mangla, and Chashma, three of Pakistan’s largest reservoirs, have reached dead storage levels, signaling an urgent need for water management measures. According to the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), the Tarbela Dam’s usable water storage has completely depleted, now at its dead level of 1,402 feet. Similarly, Mangla Dam is also at dead storage, with a water level of 1,054 feet, storing just 77,000 acre-feet of water. Chashma Barrage is in a similar state, with a water level of 638 feet and a meager 9,000 acre-feet of water.
These dead levels in the country’s primary reservoirs have significantly reduced Pakistan’s ability to generate hydroelectric power. The total water storage across the reservoirs now stands at only 86,000 acre-feet, a far cry from the amounts needed to meet both energy and agricultural demands.
Hydropower Generation Faces a Major Setback
Hydropower generation has been hit hard due to the low water levels. While Pakistan’s total hydropower capacity stands at 10,000 MW, current generation has plummeted to just 1,000 MW. At Tarbela Dam, 16 out of 17 power units have shut down, with the dam generating a mere 350 MW. Similarly, the Ghazi Barotha hydropower plant is producing only 400 MW, and Warsak is contributing just 60 MW. Other sources of hydropower are generating an additional 240 MW, but the shortfall remains substantial, deepening the country’s energy crisis.
Impending Agricultural and Energy Challenges
Experts warn that unless urgent steps are taken to address the water crisis, Pakistan could face further electricity shortages and severe challenges in the agriculture sector. The dwindling water levels will likely affect irrigation, which is crucial for the country’s farming economy, while the reduction in hydropower generation will strain the already fragile energy infrastructure.
The situation remains critical, and calls for improved water management practices and alternative energy solutions are growing louder. The government and relevant authorities are under mounting pressure to implement effective strategies to mitigate the impact of this ongoing water shortage.
