Hanna Lake in Quetta is Drying Up Rapidly

Water is leaking from multiple points in Hanna Lake, located in Quetta, causing the water level to drop significantly and raising concerns that the lake could dry up. The lake’s beauty has also diminished due to the declining water levels, worrying experts, water sports enthusiasts, and residents.

Officials from the Balochistan Irrigation Department reported that the first complaint about water leakage from the lake was received in April this year, and the situation has been monitored ever since.

Hayatullah Khan Durrani, who has operated a water sports academy at Hanna Lake for the past 40 years, told Urdu News that the leakage has been ongoing for several months, leading to a substantial reduction in the water level.

“A few months ago, the lake was 27 feet deep, but now it has reduced to only 14 feet. If the leakage isn’t stopped, the lake could dry up again, which would have negative environmental, economic, and social impacts,” he warned.

Durrani added, “The lake was refilled after 16 years, restoring its beauty and attracting many tourists. Boating and water sports competitions resumed, and the environment became favorable for training. However, the continuous leakage of water has raised serious concerns.”

According to the Irrigation Department’s Chief Engineer, Bashiruddin Tareen, Hanna Lake was nearly full after the April rains, with only two meters left to fill, when the first complaints of leakage surfaced. “We discovered leaks at more than three locations in the outer and lower parts of the lake, releasing a small amount of water. However, the dam structure remains intact, and there is no risk. We are not planning to drain the lake,” he said.

Tareen explained that the lake, constructed over a century ago, has seen the surrounding rocks become unstable over time, particularly due to earthquakes, leading to cracks and water leakage.

“With the help of experts, we have decided to implement innovative solutions to address the leakage. A feasibility report has been prepared and approved by the development and planning department, and work on this Rs40 million project will begin soon,” he added.

Tareen assured that the lake would be restored to its original condition using a grouting method to control the leakage, injecting cement into the cracks.

He noted that leakage has been detected in the middle part of the lake, but it’s not visible because of the current water level. “We will address this issue only if the lake dries up,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Quetta district administration has banned tourist entry to Hanna Orak and Hanna Lake for four weeks. Chief Engineer Tareen clarified that this ban is unrelated to the lake’s leakage and is likely due to the administration’s concerns about heavy rains and flood risks.

He further explained that over the past four months, the lake’s water level has decreased by three to four meters, mostly due to evaporation. “Water loss is a natural process—some is absorbed into the ground, and some evaporates into the air. In summer, the rate of evaporation accelerates,” Tareen said.

Hanna Lake, situated 17 km northeast of Quetta, was created in 1894 during the British era to maintain the underground water level, irrigate land, and provide recreation for the public. The lake has a water storage capacity of 818 acres or 26 million gallons and is 49 feet deep.

A head regulator and canal were constructed at the spiral point on the Hanna Orak River to divert snowmelt, rain, and floodwater from the Hana Orak natural springs, Zarghun, and Mardar mountains to the lake. This head regulator was destroyed by a flood in 1976. In 2022, the Balochistan government initiated a restoration project for the head regulator and a 7,000-foot-long diversion channel for Rs 170 million.

Senior bureaucrat Hashim Ghalzai, who has long been captivated by Hanna Lake, has visited the lake regularly for the past three decades and supports a water sports academy there.

He explained that the canal built to channel rainwater into the lake had become clogged with stones and mud. As a result, the lake remained dry for much of the last two decades, primarily due to drought and the damaged canal, which devastated the local ecosystem.

“Thanks to our efforts, former Chief Minister Jam Kamal approved a project to restore the canal, and significant progress has been made. The water level in the lake has improved with increased rainfall and the restoration of the canal,” Ghalzai noted.

He added, “Unfortunately, leakage has now occurred in the lake, raising the risk of it drying up. This threatens local bird life and makes it difficult to meet the water needs of migratory birds.”

Ghalzai also highlighted the social and economic consequences of the lake drying up. “This lake has been a major source of recreation for the people of Quetta for the past century. When the lake is full, tourists flock here, but when the water level is low, fewer tourists visit, which negatively impacts the livelihood of local vendors, restaurants, and other businesses.”

Abdul Waheed, a Quetta resident visiting Hanna Lake for recreation, recalled that two or three months ago when the lake was full, its blue waters created a stunning view. “Now, the water level has dropped significantly, and the lake is losing its beauty,” he observed.

Hayatullah Khan Durrani, Chief Executive of the Water Sports Academy, pointed out that Hanna Lake is home to Pakistan’s first water sports academy, not just in Balochistan but in the entire country. “Athletes trained here have represented Pakistan in Italy, Canada, and other countries,” he said.

He expressed concern that sports activities at the lake, which had been suspended due to low water levels in past years, are now at risk again. “After a long time, water returned to the lake, and sports activities resumed. But now, the future of rowing, canoeing, and other sports is once again in jeopardy due to the water scarcity,” Durrani lamented.