The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has declared an emergency in Rawalpindi amid a worsening water crisis, exacerbated by an ongoing drought. Officials have warned that the situation could become even more dire if there is no rainfall in February and March.
Wasa Managing Director Saim Ashraf stated that the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecasted below-average rainfall, which will further worsen the crisis.
The city’s growing population and increasing commercial activities have also strained water reserves, making it harder to meet the demand. Currently, Rawalpindi requires 68 million gallons of water per day, but only 51 million gallons are available.
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The situation at Rawal Dam is especially concerning, with water levels rapidly depleting. The dam, which has a storage capacity of 1,743.30 feet, has fallen to 1,669 feet, leaving only 45 days’ worth of water supply.
Inflow into the dam has dwindled, while the outflow stands at 95.13 feet. Additionally, underground water levels have dropped by 700 feet, adding to the urgency of the situation.
To manage the shortage, water is being sourced from Rawal Dam, Khanpur Dam, and tube wells. However, the supply from Khanpur Dam will be suspended until February 22 due to ongoing maintenance work.
Authorities have issued a warning that if rainfall remains insufficient, Rawalpindi and Islamabad may face a severe water shortage.
In response to the crisis, Wasa has launched an awareness campaign urging residents to conserve water. The agency has already fined two individuals for wasting water and warned that legal action will be taken against anyone found wasting the resource.
Wasa officials are calling on citizens to reduce their water consumption and cooperate in efforts to mitigate the crisis.
