Pakistan is a country located in southern Asia. It is bordered by the India-administered Kashmir to the east, Afghanistan to the northwest, Iran, and Afghanistan to the west, and the Arabian Sea to the south. The country has a number of rivers and streams, but the two main waterways in Pakistan are the Indus River and its tributaries, and the canals of Punjab. They provide water for agriculture and also support the transport of goods and people. In this blog post, let’s discuss the waterways in Pakistan and the facts related to the Pakistan canal system.
1. Why Water is so Important in Pakistan?
With a population of over 188 million, Pakistan is a developing nation. Pakistan is ranked 80th out of 122 countries for water quality. In Pakistan, 68 million people lack access to sufficient sanitary facilities and about 16 million do not have access to clean water. People’s survival is dependent on access to clean water everywhere in the world. Not just for drinking, but also for cooking, washing, and taking a bath, clean water is essential. These factors make access to clean water especially crucial for developing nations.
Moreover, the river and its tributaries provide water for irrigation, and industry, and also support a great deal of biodiversity. The canals of Punjab are a network of irrigation channels that crisscross the province of Punjab. (See Why are Rivers Important for the Country’s Economy?)
2. What is Pakistan Main Water Source?
Pakistan main water source, for more than 180 million citizens, is the Indus River. The Indus River is the longest river in Pakistan, and it runs from the Himalayan mountains in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south. Besides domestic uses, the river and its tributaries provide water for irrigation facilities, and industrial purposes, and support a great deal of biodiversity.
3. What are the Major Water Bodies of Pakistan?
The major waterways in Pakistan are:
- The main water supply in Pakistan comes from the River Indus and its tributaries.
- To store water, dams and barrages have been constructed on the Indus and its tributaries.
- The large dams at Tarbela and Mangla serve multiple purposes, including water storage, agricultural irrigation, and the production of hydroelectricity.
4. How many Types of Water are in Pakistan?
There are many different types of waterways in Pakistan and they are:
- There is the Indus River, which is the longest river in Pakistan.
- There are also the Kabul River and the Sutlej River.
- There are also many lakes in Pakistan, such as Manchar Lake and Keenjhar Lake.
- Pakistan also has many glaciers, such as the Siachen Glacier and the Baltoro Glacier
5. How many Rivers flows in Pakistan?
Five rivers flow in Pakistan. They are:
- Jhelum
- Chenab
- Ravi
- Sutlej
- Indus
6. What are the Names of 5 Rivers of Pakistan?
The names of 5 rivers of Pakistan are:
- Jhelum
- Chenab
- Ravi
- Sutlej
- Indus
7. How many Lakes are in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, there are about 60 lakes, each of which is renowned for its unique setting and unmatched beauty. Mancher Lake is Pakistan’s biggest lake. It occupies an area of 300 sq. km.
There are 51 natural lakes and 9 man-made reservoirs. Some major lakes of Pakistan are:
- Lake Attabad (Hunza)
- Lake Barah (Barah valley)
- Byron Lake (Hunza)
- Dakholi Lake (Khaplu valley)
- Ghanche Lake (Khaplu valley)
8. What are the Waterways in Pakistan?
There are a number of waterways in Pakistan, including the Indus River, the Chenab River, the Jhelum River, and the Ravi River. The Indus River is the longest which runs from the Himalayas in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south. However, all these rivers are vital to the country’s economy, providing irrigation for crops and drinking water for the population. They also support a thriving fishing industry and are popular tourist destinations. Check out What are Large Water Bodies called?
9. How many Canals are in Pakistan?
There are a total of five canals in Pakistan, Four are located in the Punjab province, and one is in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The canals in Pakistan are:
- The Islamabad Canal,
- The Lahore Canal,
- The Chenab Canal,
- The Ravi Canal,
- The Kabul River Canal.
10. Who made Pakistan Canal System?
The Pakistan canal system was constructed by the British in the 1800s and is a sophisticated network that transports water from rivers to canals and then to distributaries. Must see How has the Removal of Wetlands Impacted Rivers and Streams?
11. How many Dams are in Pakistan?
Pakistan is a country that mainly relies on irrigation, which requires water resources. It’s interesting to note that Pakistan has 150 dams scattered throughout its provinces.
