A severe water crisis threatens Sindh province as the Irrigation Department has issued an alarming circular warning that major dams are on the verge of complete depletion within days.
According to official documents from the Sindh Irrigation Department, both Mangla and Tarbela dams are expected to run completely dry within the next 4-5 days, creating potentially catastrophic conditions across the province.
The effects of the drought are already becoming apparent in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and other cities throughout Sindh, officials report.
"The minimal rainfall during the current Rabi season 2024-25 has caused water reserves to drop to dangerous levels," stated the department's circular. As of March 3, 2025, Tarbela Dam holds just 0.102 million acre-feet of water, while Mangla Dam contains only 0.226 million acre-feet.
The document further warns that water shortages could exceed 50 percent for the remainder of March and into the beginning of the next season, significantly impacting agricultural production and drinking water supplies across the region.
Authorities have called for "a systematic planning approach for equitable distribution of available water" to manage the crisis, suggesting that rationing measures may soon be implemented.
