Sindh is experiencing a serious water crisis, with irrigation supplies dropping by 50% just as the Kharif season is about to start. The situation has worsened as both Tarbela and Mangla dams have reached dead levels, reducing the available water supply.
As of March 17, major water sources in Sindh, including the Guddu and Sukkur barrages, have reported major shortages. The Sukkur Barrage, which normally distributes water to different areas, is only able to provide limited supplies to Balochistan.
This shortage is putting key crops in danger. Mango orchards, which require a steady water supply, are struggling due to reduced allocations. Cotton crops are also at risk, which could impact farmers’ incomes.
The crisis is not just affecting summer crops. Winter crops like wheat are also threatened, and vegetables such as okra and tomatoes may not get enough water to grow properly. If the shortage continues, farmers could face major financial losses, and food prices might increase.
Experts are warning that if the situation does not improve soon, Sindh’s agriculture sector could suffer greatly. The government and water authorities may need to take urgent steps to manage the crisis and ensure fair distribution of available water.
