Managing Hydro Resources of Pakistan: A Proactive Approach for Disaster Response

Abstract

Our county has been bestowed with sufficient water resources, yet it is facing water shortages due to mismanagement and changing weather phenomena. Pakistan’s vulnerability to natural hazards had increased many folds because of this issue, in the shape of floods and droughts. The efforts should be augmented by prudent policies of creating new dams and local storage facilities. To the contrary, Pakistan has witnessed a strange complacency and lack of commitment since its birth. Probably, the national planners were awaiting a situation as they did not prepare themselves for the upcoming challenges. Pakistan has certainly lost both, in time and in national productivity and today, it is facing a crisis situation. Pakistan’s economy rests on agriculture productivity. A good crop year allows self-sufficiency in grain production and a lean year has an overall retarding effect on economic growth. In view of its pivotal importance in the overall economy and resilience of the society in all aspects, we require to look into the matter to reduce our vulnerabilities. This paper constitutes the present water resources of Pakistan. Vulnerabilities, Pakistan faces because of water crises situation including food security, Indus water issues and agricultural practices. Few of the government’s initiatives are highlighted to tackle water crises situation. Finally, few of the recommendations are given how to counter that vulnerability and turn in to capacity for Pakistan’s economic and social resilience.
Keywords: Water, management, Pakistan, agriculture, hydropower