Pakistan Faces Massive Water Loss as Dams Overflow Amid Monsoon Rains

Pakistan is grappling with severe water management challenges as the 2025 monsoon season triggers heavy rainfall across the country. Swollen rivers and streams are causing huge volumes of water to go to waste due to the nation’s limited storage capacity.

Between July 1 and August 20, more than 9 million acre-feet (MAF) of water was released into the Arabian Sea from the Kotri Barrage, the Irrigation Department reported. Officials further anticipate an additional 4 to 5 MAF flowing downstream from rivers in Swat, Kashmir, and other mountainous regions.

Major reservoirs including Tarbela, Rawal, Khanpur, and Simly Dams have already reached full capacity, while Mangla Dam stands at nearly 75%. With no alternative arrangements in place, excess water continues to be lost.

Data from Kotri Barrage highlights the alarming trend: 0.60 MAF discharged from July 1–10, 1.11 MAF from July 11–20, 2.60 MAF from July 21–31, 3.12 MAF from August 1–10, and 1.61 MAF from August 11–20. The figures underscore Pakistan’s insufficient infrastructure for effective water management.

Experts caution that without immediate intervention, the nation could soon face an acute water crisis. “Building new reservoirs is critical to secure Pakistan’s water future,” said water management specialists. “The current system cannot handle the increasing water flow, and continued delays will exacerbate the problem.”