Lack of sources or mismanagement a cause of water shortage in twin cities?

Islamabad -- Water is fundamental for life and health. The human right to water is indispensable for leading a healthy life in human dignity. Water is crucial to development, nature, bio-diversity, environment, food security, agriculture and all life forms.

Through this piece I want to highlight the facts that why twin-cites Rawalpindi and Islamabad residents face acute water shortage, non-availability of clean drinking water every year especially in summer season. 'Is it lack of sources or mismanagement?. First of all I mention the sources from where both the cities get clean drinking water. Currently four dams are located around both the cities. They are Simli Khanpur, Rawal and Tanaza dams.

Simli dam is about 30 kilometer from Islamabad and can be reached through Lehtrar road or Bhara Kahu. It is fed by the melting snow and natural springs of Murree hills. The water stored in the lake is supplied to Islamabad for drinking purposes. Khanpur dam is 48 kilometers from Islamabad on Taxila-Haripur Road.

The water from this lake is supplied to Islamabad and Rawalpindi for drinking purposes. Tanaza dam is a small dam located at about 35 kilometers south-west of Rawalpindi on Dhamial Road.

Four rivers pass through Rawalpindi district. River Jhelum skirts the district from its northern part near Dewal to its southern boundary covering distance of 88 kilometers. River Soan takes rise from within a few kilometers of the Murree hills and flows down deep in the valley for the 6 kilometers of its course till it reaches the plain near old ruined fortress of Pharwala. It flows close to Rawalpindi city and finally joins the Indus near Makhad. Haro River rises near Donga Gali in Abbottabad enters Rawalpindi near village Bhallar-top.

It cuts across a small portion of Rawalpindi tehsil and then enters Attock tehsil. Korang river rises near Ghora Gali and trimmers along Murree-Rawalpindi road and its water have been dammed at Rawal dam. It joins Soan near Sihala. Five streams and Nullah including Leh, Kanshi, Ling, Sarin and Tamrah also pass through Rawalpindi.

No river passes through Chakwal district except Soan that enters at Pindi Gheb area and passes through Hasli-Warwal into Talagang sub division. It falls into Indus on the border of Mianwali-Kohat district. Along with the above mention sources of clean drinking residents of both the cities are also getting water through water tube-wells. Now it is clear that both the cities have enough water resources...