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Pakistan is facing a severe water crisis, with water flow from the Indus River System plummeting by almost 20 percent following India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. This drastic reduction has severely impacted the kharif crop season, threatening the nation's already struggling economy.
The situation is dire. Rivers have reached "dead levels," meaning water stored is unusable for irrigation or drinking. This follows India's decision to put the treaty on hold after the Pahalgam terror attack, a move met with both criticism and, now, stark consequences.
Major reservoirs, Tarbela and Mangla, are at critically low levels. This ongoing situation has crippled Pakistan's agricultural sector.
The consequences are far-reaching. Kharif farming, crucial to Pakistan's economy, has seen a production drop exceeding 20 percent. Cotton and maize production have plummeted by over 30 percent and 15 percent, respectively, while wheat production has fallen by approximately nine percent. With agriculture contributing 23 percent to Pakistan's national income, this crisis threatens economic stability.
While monsoon rains may offer some relief, Pakistan is currently grappling with a severe water shortage.
Facing this existential threat, Pakistan has sent four letters to India, pleading for the treaty's reinstatement. The World Bank, which brokered the 1960 agreement, has been urged to intervene, but has so far declined.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, allocated the Indus River system's waters between India and Pakistan. India controls the eastern rivers, while Pakistan receives water from the western rivers. India's suspension of the treaty, deemed "an act of war" by some in Pakistan, has created immense tension and uncertainty.
The future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the water crisis in Pakistan demands immediate attention and a resolution that secures the nation's water security and its economic future. The implications of this crisis extend far beyond Pakistan's borders, highlighting the complex interplay of geopolitical tensions and resource scarcity.
