Balochistan’s Irrigation Minister, Mir Sadiq Umarani, has warned that continuous water extraction through solar-powered tube wells is causing a sharp decline in the province’s groundwater levels.
Umarani said the decision by WAPDA to shift agricultural tube wells to solar power was a mistake. He explained that previously, KESC supplied farmers with electricity for only four hours, prompting cautious usage. Now, with solar-powered pumps operating 24 hours a day, water levels are dropping rapidly.
Umarani also highlighted water shortages in the Nasirabad canal system, emphasizing that efforts are underway to address the issue. He added that improving agriculture and managing water resources remain the responsibility of the provincial Agriculture Department.
