BOARD OF REVENUE BALOCHISTAN
Subject: MAGNITUDE/DIMENSIONS OF DROUGHT IN BALOCHISTAN
1. BACKGROUND:
The current drought situation has picked up in the course of last three years due to climatic changes, pressure on water resources in the face of competing need of animal, human and plants including vegetation. The catchment areas have dried up as the amount of snow fall being received on the land and mountains in and around Quetta, Kan Mehtarzai, Ziarat and adjoining belts as compared to 1970s have almost turned to negligible figures. During the past three years the quantity of rain fall received in most of the province have turned out to be a fraction of those received in the past. The temperature in the region has gone up and climate has become drier than before. All these factors have been working only in one direction i.e. drying down of surface and groundwater reserves. Balochitan is a mosaic of different physiographic, morphologic, geologic, structural and techtonic features which controls the occurrence and movement of groundwater. The province is dominated by 12 major river systems of catchment areas covering 4,188-83, 500 square Kilo meters. Estimated ground water potentials were 23-150 Mms/year during 1983 and reduced to 6-116 Mm3/year during 1993. In comparatively more inhabited basins/sub-basins, a continuous decline of water table observed from 0.1-3.5 m/year.
In most basins the springs and tubewell waters are acceptable for drinking and irrigation. The average temperature and precipitation values attribute that climatically Balochistan falls in Mediterranean and monsoonal arid zone. The altitude determines the cool-temperate to tropical temperate regimes. Surface water resources are limited, the groundwater being the only dependable source. Springs, Karezes, dug and persian wells are the traditional means of groundwater utilization. The mechanized system of tubewell installation was initiated in 1960 particularly for serving cultivable and including orchards increasing demand of water. The geology of Balochistan is dominated by five depositional basis, (I) Chagai-Raskoh Volcanic Arc, (ii) Makran-Kharan Basin, (iii) Fold Belt, (iv) Pishin Sub-basin and (v) Sibi Sub-basin. The surface drainage divided these depositional basins into 12 hydrologic/river basins.
Surface and ground-water resources of Balochistan fluctuate greatly throughout the year depending on the variation in precipitation. Due to scarcity of rain fall, no river or stream has perennial flow throughout their courses. In north and south-eastern highland the precipitation is maximum and ranges from 2.50 to 3.50 mm per year. In southern and western parts of Balochistan precipitation varies from 50 to 150 mm per year. About 96% of water supply schemes of Balochistan are based on groundwater. The annual potential evapotranspiration exceeds rain fall throughout the year in many basins or sub-basins.
The estimated total groundwater potential of 12 basins for future utilization as calculated by WAPDA during 1983 was 936 Mm3 per year which decreased to 619Mm3 per year during 1993. The yearly decrease in groundwater potential in different river basins vary from 0.18 to 5.3 percent, being maximum in Gaj, Moola and Zhob river basins and very limited amount of groundwater is available for future utilization. The groundwater monitoring results of selected basins of Balochistan show the depletion of groundwater estimates, such that the same for Pishin river basin for the period 1989-96 indicates a continuous decline of water table from 0.2 to 3.5 meters per year.
The Irrigation Department has worked out the reduction of discharge of some of the perennial irrigation schemes in Sibi Division which also gives a very alarming figure showing reduction of discharge from 1/3rd to about half. In this connection Naari Headworks, Saazo Irrigation Schemes, Sheerani Irrigation Scheme and Qasid Viala Irrigation Scheme, Gurmi Harnai may be quoted. Similarly, Kawas Irrigation Scheme and Khan Irrigation Scheme may be quoted in Ziarat District and Chimari Irrigation Scheme and Pazza Irrigation Scheme in Dera Bugti and Kohlu Districts respectively where the water table has gone down substantially.
All these figures present a very alarming situation of drying down of groundwater reserves and developed perennial sources of water in Sibi Division. In other parts the position is not different. Any way it can be said that even in the areas where perennial sources of water were developed at huge costs with reduction in discharge of half to less than one third, the capacity of the sources to sustain plant animal and human population has reduced proportionately.
This situation indicates that even if there is a rain fall in June or July, 2000, the trend is hardly going to be reversed and the capacity of the groundwater reserves and perennial sources of supply to sustain the population will be alarmingly low. This sends signals to work out medium and long term plans for finding out sources of water supplies for the animal and plant population. The sooner a long term plan is drawn for sustenance of the population the better so as to a void more serious catastrophe in future. (Mm3 signifies Million cubic metres and mm, millimeters).
II. CONSEQUENCES OF DROUGHT:
- No crop could be raised on rain-fed areas measuring 95,506 hectares and wheat sown on 17200 hectares of such areas yielded no production.
- About 8% of the livestock population totally starved to death as the range land spread over 21 million hectares which used to cater for 70% feeding needs for livestock population in this province dried upto the extent of 60%.
- An equal number of livestock turned weak and diseased which needed medical treatment. In all about 10 million livestock population (mostly sheep and goats) forming main stay and source of income for the livestock farmers is required to be provided with concentrates and wheat straw as fodder after drying down of the .........
- The livestock farmers all over the affected areas totaling to two hundred fifty thousand turned destitute as the values of their stock eroded pulling them much below the poverty line with total run down of their purchasing power and now, depend entirely upon relief assistance for their survival.
- The areas severely affected due to drought conditions included the districts of Chagai, Lasbela, Kharan, Khuzdar, Kalat, Killa Saifullah, Loralai and Pishin. The other district like Zhob, Musa Khel, Kohlu and Mastung have been affected moderately while the districts of Killa Abdullah, Jhal Magsi, Bolan, Sibi, Dera Bugti, Kech, Panjgur, Barkhan, Ziarat and Awaran have been slightly less affected. In the district of Quetta, the Tehsils of Panjpai and Kuchlak only have been affected from drought spell. Thus barring the Pat Feeder Canal fed district of Nasirabad and Jaffarabad and the coastal district of Gwadar all the 23 districts of the province have been affected by drought conditions in varying degrees.
- The water table has gone down and discharges from ground-water based under supply system has declined from half to less than one-third.
III. STUDIES CONDUCTED
Owing to variations in geographical, demographic and topographical situation coupled with groundwater resources and sources of water supply in different regions, the actual damages done by drought will vary from place to place in the vast landscape of the province. Studies are required to be conducted on regional basis for proper analyses of the situation. However, study conducted by United Nations Food Assessment Mission in respect of Aranji Sub-Tehsil focuses on the trends in this regard. This study was conducted by the Mission in the last week of March, 2000. The findings provide a glance in the situation which may be summarized as follows:
- The drought situation arose from the failure of rains, placing great strain on water sources and livestock health reducing prices of livestock and diminishing the purchasing power of the population.
- The situation will further aggravate in the months to come unless good rains are received.
- The situation in parts of Balochistan particularly in Lasbela, Kharan and Chagai and in districts of Loralai and Zhob is equally bad if not worse.
- As most of the health problems and human livestock casualties is said to be caused by water borne diseases, water pumps will be best source for the provision of clean water and ponds alongwith the hand pumps for drinking purposes of the animals.
- ORS sachet may be distributed to community
- Almost 100% livestock population is suffering from liver fluke and lung worms.
- Mange is main second problem noticed in sheep and goats.
- Widely scattered inaccessible small settlements, associated with want of transportation and communication networks.
IV. RELIEF OPERATIONS:
- The Federal Government provided Rs.5 million to meet the emergency needs in drought hit areas.
- The Provincial Government released two installments of Rs.5 million each, which has been so far utilized for serving animal ration to 4000 farmers covering two hundred thousand sheep and goats throughout the province for six weeks.
- Donations are also pouring in from different quarters in the province of Punjab. About 400,000 bags of atta (of 20 KG each) are being despatched by the Director Food, Punjab while the Director General Relief, Punjab is despatching 400 trucks of wheat alongwith 7 bouzers against the allocation of Rs.100 million announced by the Govt. of Punjab yesterday, i.e. 7-5-2000.
- The Livetock Department has started delivery of fodder and medicines to livestock population against Rs.120 million provided by the Finance Department, Govt. of Balochistan to cover 25000 livestock farmers in 23 drought affected districts covering livestock population of 1.25 million for a period of 10 weeks.
- Another amount of Rs.115 million is in the pipeline out of the total Rs.235 million package contributed by the Govt. of Balochistan.
- The PTV has announced support of Rs.1 million for drought affected population in Balochistan.
- UNICEF has sent 4000 packets of water purification tablets for use in drought hit areas of Aranji Sub-Tehsil under the supervision of NGO WEES (water and environment assistance) who will impart education to the affected communities for use of these tablets.
- Mr. Husain Lakhani from Karachi, has committed and is going to deliver about 2 million worth of food items for distribution to 5000 persons in the province particularly in Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan and Sibi.
- The Army Mobile teams with Ambulance and medicines numbering 8 in all proceeded on 4-5-2000 to support civilian medical teams in some of the hardest-hit drought affected areas.
- The Governor’s Relief Fund has been established in National Bank and Askari Commercial Bank with appeal to the nationals in Pakistan and abroad as well as to International Communities/agencies to donate liberally for supporting relief operations and donations are forthcoming in cash and kind.
- Japanese Consulate General in Karachi has been in constant touch and are likely to support our relief programme.
- NGOs are also coming forth to lend support. Social Welfare bodies in Quetta Cantonment supplied 88 bags atta of 20 kgs each. The people of Besima delivered 1000 bags of 20 kg each atta to the drought affected locals of Besima.
- 250 bags of 20 kg each have also been supplied to the Nushki camp by the volunteers of Aurat Foundation.
- The Provincial Govt. with the support of Pakistan Army despatched/delivered four truck load of atta to the camps at Nushki, Dalbandin and Aranji areas. Deliveries are in pipeline for other areas.
- The UNDP and I.I.R.O. (Muslim World League) Islamabad have also been approached for assistance.
- The Federal Government has announced a Relief Package of one billion.
- Around 500,000 kg of relief goods including sugar, ghee, rice, tea, pulses, dry milk and animal feed have been delivered to drought hit population in the province under the arrangements of NGOs/individuals.
V. RELIEF REQUIREMENT FOR 10 WEEKS:
Due to extended drought conditions for a continuous period of three years, the drought situation in Balochistan has aggravated affecting approximately a population of 1.5 million spread all over Balochistan who are in need of relief assistance on emergent basis.
Livestock being the main stay of such population, the drying down of grazing land has multiplied the problems of feeding the animal population owned by the affected population. The affected livestock population will be around 10 million which has been directly hit by the drought.
The relief assistance will thus be required for the following purposes:-
- Food supplies to the affected families
- Medicines and medical facilities
- Shelters and transport facilities
- Drinking water supplies
- Fodder for the drought hit animal population
- Vaccination and medicines for livestock population
- Shelter/shade for the animal population
- Items of daily use for the affected human population
- Water pumps/water tanks
The estimates worked out for different items for delivery of goods:
- Food:- Approximately 60,000 Metric tonnes of wheat will be required for the initial phase of 10 weeks and in case of persistence of drought conditions, the period is to be extended accordingly. Food for human consumption is required to be provided at rate 400 grams per day per person and the above estimate has been worked out accordingly. It is estimated to cost Rs.450 million.
- Animal Ration: Approximately 1,40,000 Metric tonnes of concentrates at the rate of 200 grams per day per animal and 3,50,000 Metric tonnes of wheat straw at the rate of 500 grams per day per animal will be required for the 10 weeks period. It is estimated to cost around Rs.2170 million.
- Shelter: In order to provide shelter in the Relief Camps, about 50,000 tents may be required at initial stage, which may cost around Rs.250 million.
- Water Supply: About 200 Bowzers/Water Carriers will be required for delivery of water supplies to the scattered camps in the province till improvement of the situation. The estimated cost will be Rs.20 million.
- Medicines/Medical facilities: According to a study the population is suffering from dehydration, Pneumonia, Typhoid, T.B. and other related diseases affecting about 15 to 20 percent of the affected population i.e. around 300,000. The Veterinary medicines will also be required for treatment of internal and external parasites for about 500,000 animals. Estimated cost for medicines/food supplements comes out to Rs.40 million.
- Water Pumps/Water Tanks: About 2000 water pumps and 2000 tanks are to be installed in the relief camps for which about Rs.40 million will be needed.
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Transportation etc: In addition to above facilities, funds will also be required for transportation, construction of sheds for animals and supply of items of daily use to the affected population for which about Rs.50 million may be required in the first phase of the operation as follows:
(i) Cost estimates for shed = Rs.25 million
(ii) Transportation cost = Rs.10 million
(iii) Items of Daily use = Rs.15 millionThus, a total of Rs.3020 million or assistance in kind for indicated items are urgently required for conducting relief operations for the initial period of 10 weeks commencing from May 1, 2000.
VI. RECOMMENDATIONS
The magnitude of the crises is such that the Provincial Government cannot support the relief operations out of its own and therefore foreign agencies/donors are required to be pursued for extending liberal support and financial assistance for conducting relief operations for the initial (May-Mid July), Medium term (Mid July-onwards till implementation of Rehabilitation Plan) and Long Term (Rehabilitation Plan) period.
In view of scattered population in the province all over, all of them cannot be brought to a few relief camps, and in consequence thereof the persons engaged in relief operations need logistic support for their mobility and for delivery of goods and services to the door steps of the affected population. At least 48,4x4 pickups are to be provided to Deputy Commissioners for conducting relief operations smoothly in view of vast expanse of the area of operations and, wide scattering of the population.
In view of depletion of the water resources through out Balochistan, it will be naïve to assume that rain fall in June/July and onwards of the current year will be sufficient to sustain the whole lot of population in the present drought hit areas. It may therefore be considered to seek support and financial assistance for development or extension of water resources in the province of Balochistan on massive scale. The next step will be the rehabilitation of affected population so that they can earn their livelihood and for which a massive package of financial assistance will be needed.
In this chain, joint studies by team of experts have already been advised to examine the possibility of renovation/augmentation of existing water resources or shifting/migration of population or extension of canal system or other devices for rehabilitation/resettlement of the affected population depending upon findings of expert team keeping the following points in view:
- Transportation
- Resettlement of the disturbed population
- Development of sustainable sources of water
- Income Generation Modules
(Syed Abbas Husain)
Senior Member/BOR