Pakistan is currently grappling with a severe water crisis of storage, largely attributed to decades of insufficient water management infrastructure. Comparing its dam capacity to that of regional powerhouses like India and China, particularly when accounting for population and area, reveals a stark disparity. This analysis highlights Pakistan’s urgent need for a comprehensive, long-term water management strategy.
Pakistan has approximately 150 dams of varying sizes, with a core of around two dozen large dams.Historically, Pakistan’s storage capacity has been dominated by the Tarbela and Mangla dams, but this capacity has been significantly reduced by sedimentation over the years.Storage capacity with a per capita water availability that has dropped to an “alarming” level, Pakistan can store only 10% of its annual river flow. The country’s carryover capacity is a mere 30 days, critically low compared to international standards.
India has over 5,334 large dams, placing it third globally after China and the U.S. The Central Water Commission monitors 140 key reservoirs with a combined live storage capacity of 176 billion cubic meters, which accounts for about 68% of the country’s total storage. India has a water carryover capacity of 170 days, nearly six times that of Pakistan.
Chinahas over 87,000 dams and reservoirs, China has the most extensive dam infrastructure in the world. Approximately half of the world’s dams over 15 meters in height are located in China. In 2010, the total storage capacity was 716.2 billion cubic meters, ranking fourth globally. This storage has continued to increase, particularly with the construction of large-scale dams post-2000. China has a water carryover capacity of around 900 days.
As per population-based comparison, China has a carryover water storage capacity for approximately 900 days, India for 170 days, while Pakistan’s is only 30 days. This reveals that despite similar population sizes to India and China, Pakistan has a dangerously small buffer against water scarcity.
As per area-based comparison, with a land area significantly smaller than both India and China, Pakistan faces concentrated pressure on its water resources. While its neighbors have built expansive networks of dams to manage their larger river systems, Pakistan’s infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the demands of its growing population and agrarian economy.
To address its water crisis, Pakistan must adopt a multifaceted, long-term strategy that moves beyond just building large dams.Expedite existing dam projects, current mega-projects like the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams are critical for increasing storage and power generation. The government must ensure these projects are completed on schedule, overcoming funding issues and political hurdles.While local funding is important, attracting international investment and aid is crucial to accelerate these capital-intensive projects.
To enhance water conservation and efficiency, the agricultural sector, which consumes most of Pakistan’s water, needs a massive upgrade from outdated, inefficient flood irrigation to modern techniques like drip and sprinkle irrigation.Billions of dollars’ worth of water is lost annually due to leakage in the irrigation system. Repairing and lining canals is essential to prevent this wastage. Implement strict regulations to manage the over-extraction of groundwater and promote rainwater harvesting to recharge aquifers.
Pakistan receives less than a third of the rainfall of India, it must explore other options like desalination plants, especially along its coast, to supplement freshwater supplies.Implement and enforce policies for treating and reusing wastewater for industrial and agricultural purposes, freeing up freshwater for consumption.
Major projects like the Kalabagh Dam have been stalled for decades due to inter-provincial disputes. A transparent and equitable water-sharing formula is necessary to build consensus and enable cohesive, long-term planning. The water sector, like many public sectors, is plagued by poor management. Strengthening institutions and promoting transparency can ensure that funds are used effectively for infrastructure development and maintenance. Educate the public on the severity of the water crisis and the importance of conservation to foster a water-conscious culture.
The statistics on dam infrastructure in Pakistan compared to India and China paint a grim picture, highlighting a looming water security crisis. While the issue stems from decades of neglect, the current trajectory is unsustainable. Pakistan’s future planning must move beyond a narrow focus on building large dams to a holistic, strategic approach that includes improved governance, water conservation, and diversification of water resources. This is not merely an economic or environmental issue, but one of national security and survival, demanding immediate and decisive action.
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