Indus River dams face critical water shortages, risking agriculture

The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has warned that water levels in the Tarbela and Mangla dams are dangerously low, threatening the agricultural sector. Punjab and Sindh face water shortfalls of 30-35% during the critical final stages of the Rabi season. Currently, the Tarbela dam has only 73,000 acre-feet of water, while the Mangla dam holds 235,000 acre-feet. Both dams are nearing their dead levels, which could lead to crop failures and increased food insecurity. Factors such as erratic rainfall, glacier melting, and outdated irrigation practices have worsened water scarcity. Long-term initiatives are needed, alongside immediate measures to improve irrigation and water management to ensure equitable distribution among provinces.