Pakistan Speeds Up Work on 4 Major Dams to Boost Water Storage

Pakistan has accelerated work on four major dam projects that are expected to add more than 8 million acre-feet of water storage capacity.

According to state media, the projects currently under implementation include Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Kurram Tangi Dam, and Nai Gaj Dam. Together, they are expected to add 8.136 million acre-feet of live storage capacity.

Diamer-Bhasha Dam will account for the biggest share, with 6.4 million acre-feet of storage capacity. Mohmand Dam will add 0.676 million acre-feet, Kurram Tangi Dam 0.90 million acre-feet, and Nai Gaj Dam 0.16 million acre-feet.

The projects are part of Pakistan’s effort to improve water availability, manage floods, and increase hydropower generation.

The push comes as Pakistan faces growing pressure on its water resources due to irregular rainfall, glacier melt, and rising demand. Officials have repeatedly warned that the gap between water supply and consumption is widening, making new storage infrastructure increasingly important.

State media said WAPDA has declared the current period the “Decade of Dams” and is fast-tracking key projects to improve long-term water security.

The report also said several more reservoir projects with a combined storage capacity of 15.88 million acre-feet are currently in the planning and design stage. These include Sindh Barrage, Shyok Dam, Akhori Dam, Chiniot Dam, and Murunj Dam.

At present, Pakistan’s main reservoirs include Tarbela Dam, Mangla Dam, and Chashma Barrage.

Authorities are also expanding hydro-meteorological monitoring and telemetry systems to improve real-time tracking of river flows, rainfall, reservoir levels, and transboundary water streams.