The problem needs more integrated and comprehensive policies
PESHAWAR: Media reports say the Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted that the persistent dry weather having no medium or high intensity rain will end in the second part of January 2017, which means most parts of Pakistan are likely to face water and food stress, as the current availability of water will not be enough to meet the requirements of millions of people. It has been further predicted that given the current climate conditions, some areas, including the northern areas, upper parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and northeast regions of Punjab will receive light rain, but there will be no rain in any other part until the next January. Also, the dry spell will continue for almost the next couple of months, which would affect the water levels at the Mangla and Tarbela dams. Most of the water retrieved in mid-September and stored from the monsoon season has been consumed, hence no adequate water is available at the moment to meet the requirements of the wheat sowing season.
It is difficult to make plans with regards to water and food security in the country, owing to the changing weather patterns and unexpected rain and dry spells. Making dams and big water reservoirs is not enough to cope with the adverse effects of climate change. The problem needs more integrated and comprehensive policies.
Faraz Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2016.
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