Introduction
The spell of torrential rains in Pakistan, which started in mid-July, submerged many parts of the country. It caused major infrastructural damage and claimed around 57 lives across the country. Pakistan is ranked 14th among 17 high water risk countries in the world. The recent floods painfully highlighted Pakistan’s unpreparedness to deal with issues such as climate change and the potential water shortages. Rawalpindi and Islamabad were the major cities struck by floods over the past month. Most parts of the twin cities were submerged due to the floods, hindering the daily life of the citizens. It not only caused major infrastructure damage but tragically claimed many precious lives.
The most devastating truth, however, from this whole ordeal was that this situation could have been avoided had Pakistan decided to build the Soan Dam, which has been a topic of debate for at least two decades now. The building of the Soan Dam was first proposed back in 1955 by the dam survey team of the World Bank. A site at Dhoke Pathan in Northern Punjab was recommended as the perfect place for Pakistan to build a major dam for the country, which could help with water storage, mitigating floods that hit the country every year during monsoon, in addition to generating electricity for the cities closer to the dam site.
The Urgent Need for Water Storage Infrastructure in Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the countries at a higher risk of climate change, which can cause the country’s major glaciers to melt. The population of Pakistan is currently 250 million and is expected to exceed 367 million by the year 2060. The country is in dire need of a proper infrastructure for storing water, which is a concern highlighted by many. The country’s glaciers are at a major risk of melting due to rising temperatures. If proper infrastructure is not built soon, all the glacial meltwater will flow into the Arabian Sea. This water, if stored properly, can be worth billions of dollars for the country. In addition to the water from melting glaciers, every year, Pakistan experiences monsoon rainfall from July to September, and due to the lack of a proper storage system in the country, approximately 36.6 million acre-feet of water every year flows into the Arabian Sea unused.
A Strategic Solution for Water Storage and Energy Generation in Pakistan
The proposed construction of the Soan Dam will help Pakistan store water during the monsoon season. The plan for this dam is to store water from the Soan River, as well as to act as a carryover dam, potentially able to store water from a 100-kilometer-long canal, drawing it from the Terbela Dam. The dam is believed to have the potential to safeguard the country against future floods during monsoons, in addition to this, the water stored in this dam will be utilized during dry spells of the country, helping with the needs in the agriculture industry and will be a reliable source of water against the rising shortage of water in the cities located near the dam site, including Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The storage of the Soan Dam is believed to be around 38 to 48 million acre-feet, which is approximately eight times that of Terbela and Basha dams. In addition to storing water, the dam will also be used for generating electricity. In addition to this, the dam will also be capable of generating around 5000 megawatts of electricity, which can be sold to the surrounding cities at a much lower price. Overall, the construction of the Soan Dam is expected to contribute approximately 90 billion dollars to Pakistan’s economy every year.
The Controversy Surrounding the Soan Dam Construction
Due to the recent tragedies, the construction of the Soan Dam has gained support from the majority, but some still have reservations. Many experts still believe that the dam can cause more damage than good, and have a lasting environmental impact, and worsen the water distribution between the provinces. Dr. Hassan Abbas, a water resource expert, highlighted the environmental impacts of building dams in Pakistan. He is of the view that although dams can help mitigate smaller floods for the time being, the bigger waves can not be avoided by building dams; in his opinion, the destruction is far greater. In addition to environmental impact, the construction of dams in Pakistan has caused a severe water shortage for the civilizations living downstream. Although the Soan Dam is not being built on the Indus River, as a carryover dam, it is expected to draw water from the Tarbela Dam, which is a point of concern for many. The biggest advocates for the cause have been the people directly impacted, especially in the province of Sindh.
Conclusion
The recent flooding and torrential rains have revealed the extent of unpreparedness that Pakistan possesses in the face of natural disasters, as well as the dangers that climate change poses to the region. This devastation has once again sparked the discussion about the Soan Dam, which is eagerly awaited as it would aid in alleviating some of the suffering caused by floods, as well as provide water storage, agricultural support, and hydroelectric power. Still, the debate about its environmental harm and the inter-provincial water sharing dispute shall not be disregarded. T
he lack of proper planning and action puts Pakistan at risk of becoming more vulnerable to climate disasters as well as facing severe water shortages. If done right with proper planning, agreement between provinces, and safeguards, the Soan Dam has the potential to be one of the most sought-after projects, which would not only provide flood aid but also help with the economic stability of the region through water and energy resource management. This decision is something that, if not acted upon soon, will have dire consequences for the current water debate situation of the region.
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Fatima Mazhar is a 9th-semester law student at the International Islamic University, Islamabad. She is currently serving as the chairperson of the Law Students Council, Pakistan.