The water crisis is beginning to raise its ugly head in the country as Prime Minister Imran Khan has yet to appoint a minister for water resources despite the passage of two and half months, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.

According to Indus River System Authority (IRSA), the absence of a minister has started taking its toll on the performance of departments working under the Ministry of Power so much so that the campaign launched during summers to make people aware of the water shortage is still to kick off.

On the other hand, the situation has deteriorated so much that both Mangla and Tarbela dams have only eight days of water reservoirs left in them.

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IRSA has expressed the fear that provinces may face a water shortfall of 25 to 30 percent.

IRSA says it has alerted all the four provincial governments about the emerging water crisis in the country.

According to the Authority, both Punjab and Sindh face 18 percent of water shortfall, and if glaciers do not melt due to low temperatures on the mountains the situation could further worsen.

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Therefore, it has counselled judicious use of water resources.

As per the latest situation with respect to water levels in dams, Tarbela Dam has only 0.2 million acres per foot of water left in it, and it was fast depleting.

While IRSA adds, the water reservoir at Mangla Dam stands at 0.6 million acres per foot.

 

Reporter Awais Kiani