ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s water reserves have improved significantly following sustained monsoon rains, with the country’s major reservoirs now filled to 72 per cent of their total storage capacity, according to official data released on Sunday.
The latest figures show that the combined water storage in Pakistan’s principal reservoirs has reached 9.466 million acre feet (MAF), against a total storage capacity of 13.149 MAF, reflecting a marked improvement in the country’s water availability after increased inflows into the Indus River system.
Officials said inflows across the Indus basin have risen substantially in recent days, with water entering the river system far exceeding outflows. The surge has been attributed to widespread monsoon rainfall and increased runoff from upper catchment areas, which have replenished reservoirs and strengthened water availability for irrigation and other uses.
The improvement comes after weeks of fluctuating river conditions during the ongoing monsoon season, which saw elevated flows in the Indus and Chenab rivers, localized flooding in several districts of Punjab and Sindh, and glacial flood-related disruptions in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Despite the rise in reservoir levels, authorities continue to closely monitor river flows as the current spell of monsoon activity persists.
Disaster management agencies have warned that additional rainfall in upper catchments could lead to further fluctuations in river levels and increase the risk of localized flooding in vulnerable areas.
Water experts say the higher storage levels are expected to provide relief for irrigation needs during the ongoing Kharif season while also improving water security in the months ahead. However, they cautioned that effective reservoir management remains essential to balance flood mitigation with water conservation as the monsoon season continues.
Officials said relevant departments are maintaining round-the-clock monitoring of reservoirs, barrages and river systems to ensure timely operational decisions in response to changing weather and hydrological conditions.
