ISLAMABAD, Aug 13 (APP): Federal Minister for Water Resources, Muhammad Mueen Wattoo, said Wednesday that Pakistan’s major reservoirs are currently holding water well above average seasonal levels, with Tarbela Dam at 96 percent capacity — a significant change from the lows typically observed earlier in the year.
Responding to legislators during the National Assembly’s question hour, the minister noted that in two months of the year, water levels at Tarbela, Mangla, and Chashma dams often drop to their lowest. However, this year, the trend has reversed, showing a strong water storage situation nationwide.
As of today, Tarbela Dam stands at 96 percent capacity, Mangla at 64 percent, and Chashma at 83 percent, bringing the national average water storage to around 75 percent.
Addressing concerns about future preparedness, Wattoo stressed that the government is closely monitoring both domestic and global water scarcity projections. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is personally overseeing the matter, holding high-level meetings every third day to review new storage projects and long-term solutions for irrigated and rain-fed areas.
On equitable water distribution among provinces, the minister reaffirmed that allocations are clearly defined under the 1991 Water Accord and are being strictly implemented. Each province receives its share and has full autonomy in managing it.
To enhance transparency and prevent disputes, a telemetry system is being installed for real-time monitoring of water flows. This system will ensure that no province receives less than its allocated share.
“If any province believes it is getting less water than agreed, it may present specific data. If intentional reductions are proven, strict action will be taken,” Wattoo concluded.
