By Hafeez Darvesh
Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, is facing a severe water crisis, with only 120 days of water supply left. The situation has been exacerbated by the breakdown of 40 tube wells, which has resulted in a scarcity of water in the city. To make matters worse, the city’s water demand is not being met, with a daily requirement of 120 million gallons, but only 63 million gallons being provided by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
The CDA’s total capacity is 80 million gallons, which is already in deficit to the current demand. The situation is further complicated by the reduced water supply from Simly Dam, which has decreased from 34 million gallons to 22 million gallons per day. Similarly, Khanpur Dam’s water supply is expected to be reduced from 9 million gallons to 4 million gallons per day between February 10 and 22, 2025, due to desilting.
The water crisis in Islamabad is not an isolated issue, as the entire country is facing drought-like conditions. According to a recent advisory issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Pakistan has received 40% below normal rainfall from September 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025. The advisory warns of emerging drought conditions in various parts of the country, including Islamabad.
The NDMA advisory states that Islamabad, along with other parts of Punjab, is experiencing mild drought conditions. The advisory warns that the drought may worsen in the coming months, affecting agriculture, water resources, and livestock.
Despite the severity of the water crisis and the drought-like conditions, the CDA seems to be prioritizing other projects, such as underpasses and roads, over the basic needs of the city’s residents. A staggering Rs. 10 billion has been spent on three projects, while no funds have been allocated for essential facilities like water supply and plantation.
It is imperative that Chairman CDA, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, reassesses the authority’s priorities and allocates resources accordingly. The city’s residents are facing a severe water crisis, and it is the CDA’s responsibility to ensure that their basic needs are met. Heavy budget spending on relatively less important projects is a sign of non-seriousness towards the city and its residents.
As stated in the CDA’s mission statement, the authority aims to “transform Islamabad into a city of excellence, where innovation meets heritage and where progress seamlessly blends with nature”. However, this mission cannot be achieved if the city’s basic needs are not met. It is time for the CDA to take immediate action and prioritize the water crisis, ensuring that the city’s residents have access to this essential resource.
