Dams and Water Scarcity In Pakistan

Introduction:

Water is the most important element necessary for human beings, animals, insects,
plants and for earth as a whole.  Sources of water available in Pakistan are rainfall,
surface water available in rivers and underground water.

After the Indus Basin Treaty with India, water of only two rivers i.e. Jhelum and Chenab
is available to Pakistan while the availability of water in the remaining three rivers i.e.
Ravi, Sutlej and Bias depends on the will of India.

The construction of dams and barrages by India over River Chenab and River Jhelum in
violation of the Indus Basin Treaty created the problem of water shortage for Pakistan
which is becoming more and more severe with the passage of time. According to the
UNO Report, Pakistan is at the 7th position in the list of countries, which are facing
water crisis. Presently, Pakistan has a surface water of 153 MAF and underground
water resources of only 24 MAF and Pakistan may face water shortage of 33 MAF
during the year, 2025.

In this regard, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) of Pakistan in a
recent session at the Supreme Court has devised a more feasible and practical solution
to address the scarcity of water in the country. The plan now is to seek up to $2billion
from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Swiss banks to address the
problem and build the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams in Pakistan.

Water Scarcity: