Sindh is facing a severe water crisis as the Irrigation Department has issued an urgent warning that major dams are on the brink of complete depletion within days.
According to official documents from the Sindh Irrigation Department, the Mangla and Tarbela dams are expected to run dry within the next 4-5 days, posing a serious threat to the province.
Officials report that the effects of the drought are already being felt in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and other cities.
“Minimal rainfall during the current Rabi season 2024-25 has caused water reserves to drop to dangerously low levels,” the department stated in its circular. As of March 3, 2025, Tarbela Dam holds only 0.102 million acre-feet of water, while Mangla Dam has just 0.226 million acre-feet remaining.
The document further warns that water shortages could exceed 50% through the rest of March and into the next season, severely impacting agriculture and drinking water supplies across the region.
Authorities have urged systematic planning for the equitable distribution of available water, hinting that rationing measures may soon be introduced to manage the crisis.