The Sindh Irrigation Division warned against severe water crisis endangering Kharif season

As the Kharif season arrives, Sindh is facing a severe water catastrophe that is in danger of disrupting its agricultural economy. The extreme depletion of overriding reservoirs and inadequate rainfall have created the context for a workable agricultural tragedy.

The Sindh Irrigation Division has released a dire warning connected with the unsafe nation of the province’s water stock. Till early March 2025, the water level of Tarbela Dam decreased to a simple 0.102 million acre-feet (MAF), while Mangla Dam contains a simple 0.226 MAF. Professionals worry that such reservoirs should reach their worthless levels within days, worsening the shortage of water.

Threat of Agricultural Emergency

The looming water scarcity poses a giant chance to each modern and upcoming crop cycles. Key plants such as mangoes and cotton are at risk, with mango orchards already suffering from decreased water allocations. Additionally, iciness vegetation like wheat and vegetables, along with okra and tomatoes, are vulnerable, probably main to enormous monetary losses for farmers.

Barrages Under Strain

The situation is further complicated with the help of the reduced water waft in principal barrages. The Sukkur Barrage, which is a critical form on the Indus River, is currently operating below capacity, providing only partial water factors to regions such as Balochistan. This reduction retards the irrigation of massive farming lands, worsening the crisis.

Call for Equitable Water Distribution

Against the background of mounting crisis, officials are stressing the need for strategic planning to ensure fair distribution of the dwindling water resources. Forethought measures and collective effort are needed to soften the impact on agriculture and snugly sealed the livelihood of farmers across the province.

Sindh water crisis is a bitter reminder of the pressing need for sustainable water management practices. With changing local climate conditions and water resources becoming even more unpredictable, it is imperative that stakeholders impose methods that ensure the sustainability of the agricultural region as well as the health of communities organized around it.

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