Water scarcity

Letter March 26, 2023
Water scarcity

KARACHI:

Sylvia A Earle, a marine biologist, famously said, “there’s plenty of water in the universe without life, but nowhere is there life without water.” Water is the driving force for nature and is fittingly called the blue gold of the world. Although Pakistan is faced with many issues, rising water scarcity is the most prominent one and one that will threaten the country’s survival.

Pakistan is among the most water-stressed countries in the world. Water availability has dropped from 5650 cubic meters to 900 cubic meters per annum. Our water storage capacity is much lower compared to our regional neighbours. Each year, approximately 27,000 children die because of water-related diseases. Six months after the devastating floods, nearly 10 million people lack access to safe drinking water.

Last year, water shortages in parts of Sindh, Balochistan and south Punjab resulted in a drought-like situation and led to a cholera outbreak. Despite being aware of the gravity of the matter, the government has failed to form a strategy to improve water availability and distribution. The government needs to construct dams and adopt modern irrigation techniques to reduce water losses. A widespread campaign should be launched to urge people to conserve water.

Asim Khan

Kohat

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2023.

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