By now everyone in Pakistan who watch TV should know the science and interrelationship of cloud and glacial burst, flash floods, deforestation and landsliding, hopefully the difference between Cusec as a measure of flow quantum and thus intensity, and MAF as the volume of water which flows through our rivers, floods or no floods. And if you know the science of it, one must also know the consequences, the catastrophe and the loss associated with such levels of water flow. One must also be able to thus place in perspective the politics associated with the issue of water between provinces or between states or the irony of it.

Here is a bit more of science - in fact there is much more but I don't want to laden you with it; let that lie in the domain of specialists. The water flow in our rivers has reduced to around 100 MAF annually from 135MAF that they carried in 1947. Population growth and reduction in the flow together have pushed Pakistan in the category of water scarce nations. Of the 100 MAF Pakistan stores only 16 MAF in its dams and reservoirs which is abysmal.

Per one estimate, this year with excess rainfall in catchment areas, augmented by cloud and glacial burst, the water that will flow or spread through our rivers will be in the order of 185-195 MAF. Almost twice the amount usually carried. Sadly, it will cause, and has already, caused loss of precious lives, home and hearth, livestock and devastation of the crops which were under cultivation causing cumulative loss of billions of dollars in relief, rehabilitation, recovery and economic loss, making deficiencies in food, health and exports an existential challenge. What is more, almost all of the water will either........

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