Soan Dam

It is encouraging to learn that the government has stressed the urgency of enhancing water storage and that "new dams are to be built with the consensus of all provinces. I propose a major, cost-effective project requiring minimal construction time: the Soan Dam/Indus-Soan Link Canal. This carryover dam would store Indus River floodwaters during the 80-to-100 flood days each year. On average, 35.5 million acre-feet (MAF) of water flows into the Arabian Sea, though only 10 MAF of fresh water is needed for silt deposits in the delta.

Its two key benefits would be the diversion of floodwaters – reducing flooding in the Nowshera Valley, south Punjab and Sindh – and providing a large water reserve for nearby regions. Simultaneously, regular desilting of the irrigation system is essential. Water flows in dams, barrages and canals could be monitored using satellites, drones and telemetry to prevent overuse and ensure fair distribution, especially for farms at the tail end. Public-private partnerships should also be encouraged to establish sewage treatment plants.

Syed Hussein El-Edroos

Islamabad