The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) in Rawalpindi has declared a drought emergency in the city due to the ongoing dry conditions.
The prolonged dry spell has led to a severe water shortage, and officials warn that if February and March pass without rain, the situation will become even more critical.
The continuous increase in population and commercial activities has been depleting water reserves, making it difficult to distribute available water amid the drought.
According to WASA Managing Director Saim Ashraf, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted lower-than-usual rainfall, further worsening the crisis.
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To encourage the public to use water sparingly, an awareness campaign has been launched. The drought has affected reservoirs and underground water supplies, significantly decreasing both water demand and supply. The daily water demand in the city is 68 million gallons, while only 51 million gallons are available, sourced from Rawal Dam, Khanpur Dam, and tube wells.
The groundwater level has dropped to 700 feet, and strict action will be taken against unnecessary water use. So far, two citizens have been fined for water wastage.
