Kalabagh Dam and Upper Punjab Floods: Can It Be the Solution?

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Flooding has become one of Pakistan’s most persistent natural disasters, particularly in the monsoon season. Amid recurring devastation, the Kalabagh Dam is often discussed as a potential solution. But can it really protect Upper Punjab from floods?



Understanding the Geography

Upper Punjab includes districts such as Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, and Sialkot. Flooding in this region primarily comes from:

Rivers like Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej

Hill torrents originating from Kashmir and the Potohar plateau

Urban drainage bottlenecks in rapidly growing cities

The Kalabagh Dam, in contrast, is proposed on the Indus River at Mianwali, downstream of Upper Punjab and outside the catchment of these rivers.


What Kalabagh Dam Can Achieve

If constructed, the dam would:

Store around 6–7 million acre-feet of Indus water, reducing flood peaks downstream.

Protect areas along the Indus River belt, including Mianwali, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rajanpur.

Generate approximately 3,600 MW of hydroelectric power.

Provide regulated water for irrigation, helping agriculture in Central and Southern Punjab.

However: Its impact is largely restricted to the Indus River basin and cannot directly prevent floods in Upper Punjab.


Why Upper Punjab Remains Vulnerable

Even with Kalabagh Dam in place, Upper Punjab faces continued flood risk because:


1. Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers overflow during heavy monsoons.

2. Hill torrents bring sudden surges of water from Kashmir and the Potohar region.

3. Urban drainage problems in cities like Lahore and Gujranwala exacerbate flooding.


These sources are independent of Indus River flow, meaning that Kalabagh Dam would not address them.

Realistic Solutions for Upper Punjab

To protect Upper Punjab effectively, Pakistan needs:

Targeted flood management for Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers through embankments and barrages.

Urban planning and drainage upgrades in major cities.

Small dams, retention basins, and check dams in hill torrent areas to reduce sudden flood surges.

Conclusion

While the Kalabagh Dam could reduce flooding in Central and Southern Punjab and provide energy and irrigation benefits, it is not a solution for Upper Punjab floods. Flood management in Upper Punjab requires localized strategies, infrastructure upgrades, and careful watershed management.


In short, Kalabagh Dam is part of the solution, but the flood problem in Upper Punjab demands independent, region-specific interventions.


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