Tackling challenges: Use harvested rainwater, says experts

Some 30 to 40 million acres feet of rainwater is being dumped into the sea every year

ISLAMABAD: Weather and water scarcity experts believe that Pakistan can overcome its water, power and food security challenges by turning to monsoon rainwater.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has estimated that up to 30-40 million acres feet of monsoon rainwater is being dumped into the sea annually. The amount varies depending on the amount of rain the country witnesses. They claim that because of a shortage of reservoirs this water is wasted.

Director General Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Dr Ghulam Rasul while talking to The Express Tribune said monsoon rainwater is one of the biggest resources for water in Pakistan.

He also said that monsoon rain water also helps in cultivation of barren lands. He emphasised that by diverting monsoon rain water towards desert areas like Tharaparkar and Cholistan it can help to rehabilitate the areas.



Rasul said, “A large quantity of water is wasted every year. Though proper utilisation it could help in power generation, among other sectors”.

Director General National Water Quality Laboratory, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) Lubna Bokhari, while talking to The Express Tribune said: “If Pakistan does not receive monsoon rains just for few years, it will result in disaster”.

Bokhari said that a rainwater harvesting system can help Pakistan overcome chronic water shortages. Monsoon showers help in fighting water pollution as it takes away all the waste material gathered in the lakes, nullahs, streams, rivers with it.

However, Bokhari warns, there is a need to focus on the significance of monsoon rains as well rather than just talking about overflooding causing disasters which are leading to deaths, injuries, widespread damage to homes, etc.

“Pakistan is already becoming a water stressed country therefore heavy showers during monsoon at least helps for recharging  ground water which ultimately helps the drought-stricken areas like  Tharparkar and Balochistan to put an end to water scarcity to some extent,” she said

“For people living in drought-hit areas, heavy monsoon showers are more than a blessing as it is one of the major sources for water conservation for their families,” she said.

They also believed that through proper planning and management it is easier to avoid destruction at higher level caused by over flooding in Pakistan every year.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2016.