Pakistan’s two largest dams, Tarbela and Mangla, had reached critical levels, raising concerns over water scarcity across the country.
The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) had issued an official warning to all provincial irrigation departments, alerting them to the alarming situation and the anticipated 30-35% shortage in water supply for the remainder of the Rabi season.
The IRSA sent a formal letter to provincial irrigation departments, informing them of the severe water shortage.
The letter stated that the situation would not improve until there were sufficient rains.
It noted that water would be released from the dams in accordance with the incoming supply, and no additional water would be distributed beyond what was received.
The IRSA further instructed the provincial irrigation departments to take immediate corrective measures to manage the water scarcity.
The letter outlined that both Punjab and Sindh had already experienced water shortages, with Punjab enduring a 20% deficit and Sindh facing a 16% shortage during the current Rabi season.
The authority made it clear that the situation would only improve once rainfall occurred. Until then, the water distribution was expected to remain tightly regulated due to the ongoing water crisis.
