PM Shehbaz Sharif warns that Pakistan is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations and urges urgent construction of dams and water reservoirs—from Bhasha and Mohmand to smaller regional projects—to prevent repeat disasters.
Overview
Pakistan’s recent floods underline a harsh reality: without urgent expansion of water storage, the country will face repeated climate-driven catastrophes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for fast-tracking large projects such as Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand, and for building smaller regional reservoirs to protect lives, crops and infrastructure.
Why Dams Matter Now
Heavy monsoon rains and sudden releases of upstream water this season have flooded Punjab, displaced hundreds of thousands, and killed scores of people. Storing excess water in reservoirs during high flow seasons reduces downstream flooding, provides irrigation water in dry months, and creates a buffer against erratic weather—making dams a core tool for both flood control and water security.
What PM Shehbaz Sharif said
During visits to flood-hit districts, the prime minister stressed that Pakistan is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries and urged a unified strategy to build reservoirs across provinces, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. He specifically highlighted accelerating Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand while also looking for small dam sites in plains and northern valleys.
Benefits Beyond Flood Control
They store water for agriculture and drinking during dry spells.
They generate regulated flows, reducing sudden surges that destroy roads and homes.
They provide hydropower and local jobs during construction and operation.
Ensuring these outcomes requires good design, environmental safeguards, and community consultation.
Design & Governance Must Improve
Dams alone are not a silver bullet. Pakistan also needs stronger river management, better early-warning systems, and strict enforcement against encroachment on flood plains. Coordinated provincial and federal planning—something the PM has asked for—will be essential so that new reservoirs work together with embankments, reforestation and urban planning to reduce risk.
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Local & Small-scale Solutions Count
While mega-projects get attention, dozens of small reservoirs and check-dams in plains and uplands can sharply reduce local flooding and recharge groundwater. PM Sharif explicitly recommended identifying storage points in districts like Chiniot and promoting small dams in the north to spread benefits quickly. These quicker, lower-cost measures complement larger projects.
Risks & Safeguards
Building storage must respect social and environmental safeguards: resettlement must be fair, sedimentation risks managed, and downstream ecology preserved. Rigorous feasibility studies and local stakeholder engagement reduce social conflict and increase long-term resilience. Independent oversight bodies can ensure projects meet safety and climate-adaptation goals.
Final Thoughts
Pakistani floods are a stark reminder that climate shocks will recur. Building a network of responsibly designed dams and reservoirs—paired with better planning, governance, and local measures—can convert volatile rains into a strategic resource rather than repeated ruin. As PM Shehbaz Sharif has urged, a coordinated, urgent push on storage and water management is no longer optional—it is essential to prevent future climate disaster and safeguard livelihoods across the country.
