- Major Nadeem Baig (R)
Pakistan is among the countries already warned about severe water shortages in the near future. Unfortunately, despite repeated alerts from experts and international organizations, little has been done to build effective water storage systems.
The recent floods caused by heavy rains have once again exposed this weakness. Instead of storing the precious rainwater for future use, the country witnessed widespread destruction. Towns and villages were submerged, crops destroyed, and thousands of families displaced — all because Pakistan lacks a proper water management and storage system.
The common belief is that only large dams can solve the issue, but the reality is different. Constructing massive reservoirs is a long and costly process, often tied up in political controversies. What Pakistan urgently needs is a network of small reservoirs spread across the country. These small-scale storages can serve two vital purposes:
- Preventing floods by capturing excess rainwater.
- Securing water for agriculture, drinking, and industrial use in dry seasons.
Many countries have already demonstrated the success of small reservoirs:
- India has developed thousands of small check dams and tanks in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat, which recharge groundwater and supply water to villages throughout the year.
- China has built countless small-scale reservoirs in rural areas to store rainwater, ensuring a steady supply for irrigation and domestic use, particularly in arid regions.
- Ethiopia has adopted small water harvesting ponds and mini-reservoirs to combat drought, helping farmers irrigate crops even in dry seasons.
- Spain has numerous small reservoirs in semi-arid regions, which not only supply water to towns but also help control seasonal flooding.
These models can be replicated in other parts of the country with relatively low investment and quicker results.
If Pakistan wants to safeguard its future generations from both devastating floods and crippling droughts, immediate steps must be taken. Building small reservoirs across different regions is not just a solution — it is a necessity for survival.