The country’s biggest reservoir, Tarbela Dam, has almost reached the dead level of 1,402 feet signalling more increase in water shortage of up to 41% at rim stations and a 50-55% shortage at canal heads.
The situation at Mangla Dam is not different as the water level has also reached 1,054ft, which is just 4 feet above the dead level of 1,050ft.
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The inflows in Mangla stood at 23,236 cusecs whereas outflows stood at 20,351 cusecs. However, Irsa has been asked by Wapda to start storing the water in Mangla because if it reaches the dead level, then silt will come to the power turbines.
The depleted water reserves come as the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has warned about emerging drought conditions in 13 districts of Sindh, including Karachi and Hyderabad.
As per official correspondence, Sindh province is facing an alarming water crisis as the country’s reservoirs approach exhaustion due to exceptionally low rainfall during the current Rabi season.
The situation is particularly dire for Sindh, where water shortages may exceed 50% during the remaining weeks of March and the early Kharif season if current inflow trends persist.
The PDMA had already issued a warning on January 25, 2025, highlighting emerging drought conditions in several districts of Sindh.
