Pakistan's Water Crisis: The Need for Effective Rainwater Management

Pakistan loses approximately 30 to 35 million acre-feet of water annually due to rainfall and floods, a volume that could be effectively conserved through the construction of reservoirs or recharge wells. Water management experts highlight that this lost water is equivalent to the combined storage capacity of the country’s two largest reservoirs, Tarbela and Mangla Dams.

Pakistan receives between 300 to 1,000 mm of annual rainfall, with both its volume and intensity increasing in recent years due to climate change. According to the Meteorological Department, the country experienced 16% more rainfall than normal in 2023, while August 2024 alone recorded a staggering 142% increase above the average. These figures underscore the potential of utilizing rainwater for groundwater recharge, which could significantly improve water sustainability.

Rapid population growth has further intensified the water crisis. Over the past five years, daily water consumption in Pakistan’s urban areas has surged from four million acre-feet to over 10 million acre-feet. However, due to the lack of proper groundwater recharge mechanisms, both the quality and levels of underground water reserves are rapidly deteriorating, making groundwater replenishment more critical than ever.

Approximately 24% of Pakistan's total population resides in its 10 major cities, each receiving varying amounts of annual rainfall:

• Karachi – 6.87 inches
• Lahore – 23.9 inches
• Faisalabad – 13.6 inches
• Rawalpindi – 37 inches
• Gujranwala – 22.8 inches
• Peshawar – 15.1 inches
• Multan – 4.1 inches
• Hyderabad – 5.36 inches
• Islamabad – 31.13 inches
• Quetta – 9.6 inches

Despite this substantial rainfall, there is no structured effort by district administrations or federal and provincial governments to conserve and utilize this water effectively. The absence of a comprehensive rainwater management strategy exacerbates Pakistan’s growing water scarcity, highlighting the urgent need for immediate policy intervention and infrastructure development.