Sherry expresses concern over escalating drought situation in country

ISLAMABAD: Chairperson of Senate Standing Committee for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman has expressed deep concern over the escalating drought situation in three provinces of Pakistan.

“According to officials of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), three provinces are experiencing extreme drought conditions, a situation that has become exceedingly troubling and requires immediate attention and action,” she said in a statement on Thursday.

Sherry Rehman said this alarming development has raised serious concerns about the country’s ability to manage its water resources effectively in the face of such an unprecedented crisis. “The ongoing water shortage in the country has led to significant challenges for irrigation planning. She said due to concerns over limited water availability, irrigation experts are struggling to devise a comprehensive strategy to provide water throughout the entire agricultural season. “This has made it difficult to prepare for the Kharif season, which is vital for the country’s food production,” she said. She said the water scarcity threatens to jeopardize the livelihoods of farmers and put additional pressure on an already stressed agricultural sector. In response to the urgent water crisis, she said IRSA’s Advisory Committee held a crucial meeting where it was decided that only drinking water will be supplied during the month of April.

The senator said this decision highlights the severity of the situation, indicating that the available water resources will be allocated to meet essential needs only, further limiting water availability for other sectors, such as agriculture and industry.

“This move underscores the gravity of the water deficit, as Pakistan’s water systems are currently facing a 43% shortfall, with no water reserves in the dams to alleviate the crisis,” she said, adding that compounding the crisis is the reduction in snowmelt from the country’s mountain ranges.

Normally, she said snowmelt from the mountains helps replenish water levels in the rivers, ensuring a steady flow of water during the crucial months.