Pakistan is grappling with a significant 30% water shortage at the onset of the sowing season for essential cash crops like rice and cotton, according to the country's water regulator.
The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) attributed this deficit to lower-than-normal winter snowfall in Pakistan's northern glacier regions. This reduction has adversely affected the catchment areas of the Indus and Jhelum rivers, which are crucial for irrigation.
Kharif crops, encompassing rice, maize, sugarcane, and cotton, are typically sown in April. These crops thrive in a wet and warm climate with substantial rainfall. \"There was less snow than normal as a result of climate change affecting the country's glaciers,\" stated Muhammad Azam Khan, an assistant researcher with IRSA. \"This will have a direct impact on the availability of water for Kharif crops in the summer.\"
While the water shortage gap is anticipated to lessen with the arrival of monsoon rains later in the season, the meteorological department has forecasted higher-than-normal temperatures during the monsoon period, adding a layer of uncertainty to the situation.
The agricultural sector is the backbone of Pakistan's economy, contributing approximately 24% to its GDP. \"What this current water shortfall means for the crops is that authorities will have to better plan on how to utilize the water that is allotted to them,\" Khan emphasized.
Pakistan, the world's fifth-largest country with a population exceeding 250 million, has been increasingly impacted by the effects of climate change. Last year's devastating floods, linked to climate change, affected over 30 million people and severely damaged the country's cotton crop, highlighting the urgent need for effective water management and climate resilience strategies.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
