Pakistan's escalating water crisis—driven by climate change, population growth, and mismanagement—demands urgent action, with rainwater harvesting emerging as a practical yet underutilized solution to mitigate shortages, floods, and declining per capita water availability.

We frequently see reports highlighting that Pakistan is facing severe water-related disasters, primarily due to climate change. These include water shortages and flash floods, such as those in 2010, 2014, and 2017, with the most devastating occurring in 2022. According to the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), the country’s per capita water availability has declined alarmingly over the years. This situation is further exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and inefficient water management practices. Adopting an integrated approach, including rainwater harvesting (RWH), is essential for addressing Pakistan’s water crisis.

Pakistan's water resources are dwindling rapidly. The country's per capita water availability decreased from 5,260 cubic meters in 1951 to 1,032 cubic meters in 2020.

The Status of Water Resources in Pakistan 
Pakistan's water resources are dwindling rapidly. The country's per capita water availability decreased from 5,260 cubic meters in 1951 to 1,032 cubic meters in 2020. This decline is attributed to a combination of factors, including population growth, urbanization, weak water governance, and, last but not least, climate change.
The following data reflect the drastic changes observed in rainfall patterns from 2022 onwards:

Northern Areas (Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). These areas experience heavy rainfall during the spring season and significant snowfall in late winter.
Western Region (Balochistan). This region receives limited rainfall, with most areas getting less than 200 mm annually. However, some areas in Balochistan recorded 590 percent above-average rainfall in August 2022.
Eastern Region (Punjab). This region has a relatively wet climate, with most areas receiving substantial rainfall during the monsoon season. In some areas of Punjab, 304,475 acres of crops and orchards were severely affected by heavy rainfall in 2022. 
Southern Region (Sindh). This region experiences extreme rainfall variability, with some areas receiving as little as 100 mm annually. However, Sindh province recorded 726 percent above-average rainfall in August 2022. 

Coastal Region. This region receives most of its rainfall during the monsoon season, with some areas experiencing urban flash floods.
It is essential to note that climate change has intensified extreme rainfall patterns in Pakistan, with some studies suggesting a 50-75 percent increase in intense rainfall events.
The Potential of Rainwater Harvesting in Pakistan 
Rain is the primary source of almost all freshwater globally, except for some confined aquifers. Rainwater harvesting, a long-neglected aspect of water replenishment, holds immense potential as a solution to Pakistan's water crisis. It can significantly supplement the country's water resources, offering hope in the face of a daunting challenge.

In some areas of Punjab, 304,475 acres of crops and orchards were severely affected by heavy rainfall in 2022.

Pakistan receives an average annual rainfall of around 240-255 mm, with a maximum of 1,700 mm in the northern districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the southern parts of Punjab and Balochistan receive as little as 50 mm. Harnessing this rainwater can play a crucial role in addressing water scarcity. However, climate change has severely disrupted rainfall patterns, further exacerbating the challenge.
Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting 
Reduced Dependence on Groundwater. RWH can reduce the pressure on groundwater resources, which are being overexploited and unregulated in many parts of the country. 
Improved Water Quality. Rainwater is a relatively clean source of water, largely free from industrial and chemical pollution, making it a valuable resource for both urban and rural areas. Moreover, improving its quality requires only simple and cost-effective treatment methods.
Increased Water Availability. Rainwater harvesting can serve as a reliable water source, primarily for non-potable uses such as toilet flushing, laundry, kitchen gardening, and other domestic purposes.
Reduced Flood Risk. RWH can help mitigate the impact of floods by reducing stormwater runoff and alleviating pressure on urban drainage systems. 
Challenges and Opportunities 
While RWH offers numerous benefits, several challenges need to be addressed: 
Lack of Awareness. Many people in Pakistan are unaware of the benefits of RWH and how to implement it effectively. 
Lack of Technical Knowledge About Infrastructure. Limited awareness regarding the proper design and implementation of rainwater harvesting systems, including storage tanks, piping networks, and surface water conservation techniques, hampers its widespread adoption.
Cost Implications. In regions with low annual rainfall, the high initial investment required for RWH infrastructure, particularly storage systems, can be a significant barrier to implementation.
However, there are multiple opportunities to implement rainwater harvesting afresh and build upon existing practices at the international, national, and regional levels.
National Water Policy (NWP). The Government of Pakistan approved its National Water Policy (NWP) in 2018, which encourages the implementation of rainwater harvesting programs and projects. The NWP provides policy directions for addressing water management challenges in three key areas: agriculture, domestic use, and industry. 
National Water Conservation Strategy of Pakistan. The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) developed a National Water Conservation Strategy (NWCS) to support the implementation of the National Water Policy (NWP) for sustainable water resource management. The NWCS provides policy guidelines, conservation strategies, activities, and technologies to promote efficient water use. Its overall objectives include: 

Ensuring water conservation, minimizing wastage, and securing equitable distribution.
Supporting service providers in developing best management practices for water conservation while reducing financial dependence on the government.
Providing actionable information on water conservation to enhance water security in the face of climate change. 
Rainwater harvesting (RWH) primarily consists of three methods: 
Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting 
Surface RWH (Ponds and small dams)
Groundwater Recharge
It is a matter of great concern that we are far behind the desired level of utilizing and managing rainwater. Pakistan has only demonstrated these interventions through small-scale pilot programs. Some notable examples include:
The Promotion of Rainwater Harvesting Project by the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) was implemented in earthquake-affected areas of Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) from 2010 to 2014. It is the largest-ever rooftop rainwater harvesting project in Pakistan and the South Asian region, with more than 40,000 building units equipped with RWH systems. This initiative not only provides a simple and effective way to supply water directly to local populations but also helps mitigate soil erosion in mountainous areas, a major factor contributing to the silting of Mangla and Tarbela Dams.
More than 300 school buildings in AJK were equipped with rainwater harvesting systems between 2018 and 2022.
The Agency for Barani Areas Development (ABAD), Punjab, has carried out substantial work on small and medium surface rainwater harvesting systems in northern Punjab, while PCRWR conducted a pilot program in Thar from 2006 to 2008.
UN-Habitat is implementing a pilot rainwater harvesting project in two districts of the Rawalpindi Division.
The Urban Unit Punjab has initiated a small rainwater harvesting project in the Murree region, aiming to install around 1,100 units.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) conducted a groundwater recharging pilot project with assistance from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) nearly a decade ago.
General Feasibility of Rainwater Harvesting in Pakistan
For implementing all three RWH methods, the country can be divided into the following regions:
Northern/High Mountainous Parts. Roof-Top RWH and Small RWH Ponds.
Northern Sindh to North Punjab, North-West Balochistan and North-West KP. Roof-Top RWH, Surface RWH, and Groundwater Recharging.
Lower South Punjab, North-East Sindh to Coastal Areas (Sindh & Balochistan). Roof-Top RWH and Surface RWH.
North-West (Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh). Surface RWH, Roof-Top RWH, and Groundwater Recharging.
Rainwater harvesting has the following numerous benefits:
It provides a supplemental water source, especially during dry spells, and enables individuals, municipalities, and local authorities to manage their water supplies. By offering a visible indication of water usage, it promotes a conservation mindset.
It serves as a safer drinking water alternative in areas where groundwater or springs are highly polluted with biological and chemical contaminants such as fluoride and arsenic.
It helps in managing flash floods and conserving this crucial freshwater resource for future productive use. 

The Government of Pakistan approved its National Water Policy (NWP) in 2018, which encourages the implementation of rainwater harvesting programs and projects. 

Given the increasing climate change-related events in recent years, it is now essential to scale up all the above pilot initiatives (and any overlooked efforts) across the country wherever feasible. Specifically, Rooftop RWH, the simplest method of providing water in northern areas such as Murree, Kotli Sattian, Galliyat, Swat, Mansehra, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, and similar regions, should be initiated immediately with the active participation of local governments and beneficiary communities.
Furthermore, for technical assistance and knowledge sharing, Pakistan should establish close collaboration with regional and international organizations such as the South Asia Rainwater Harvesting Network (SARNET), Lanka Rainwater Harvesting Forum (LRWHF), International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA), American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA), and others already working on similar initiatives.

The writer is a development professional and environmentalist, as well as a member of the Technical Committee of the Pakistan Engineering Council on Green Building Codes. He is also a member of the Steering Committee of the South Asia Rainwater Network (SARNET).
E-mail: [email protected]