Quetta is grappling with a severe groundwater crisis, with water levels dropping rapidly due to over-extraction, illegal tube wells, and weak governance. Despite covering nearly 44% of Pakistan, Balochistan receives less than 200mm of rainfall annually, forcing agriculture and urban areas to rely heavily on groundwater. Over 90% of farmland depends on tube wells, while only 5% has canal irrigation.

Data from the Balochistan Agriculture Department shows that Quetta’s groundwater falls by 2–5 metres yearly, with more than 30,000 illegal tube wells worsening the problem. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that the water table has plummeted from 50 metres in 2000 to over 150 metres in 2023, threatening agriculture and livelihoods.

Residents across the city face irregular supply, with some getting water for just an hour a day or once a week. Many rely entirely on private water tankers, paying thousands of rupees monthly. Despite court orders to cancel illegal connections and ensure uninterrupted water, the situation remains dire.

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Experts stress that Quetta’s crisis stems from unsustainable groundwater use, weak regulation, political interests, and lack of long-term planning. Professor Munir Ahmed Babar said groundwater depletion is comparable to a bank account being overdrawn, warning that continued extraction without recharge will lead to dry wells, land subsidence, and agricultural collapse.

Officials said solutions like metering tube wells, sealing illegal pumps, building recharge dams, and promoting rainwater harvesting are essential. The upcoming Mangi Dam project, expected by March 2026, may initially supply 8.1 million gallons daily, but experts urge immediate conservation, regulation, and public awareness to avert a full-scale water emergency.