HYDRO-CLIMATIC HAZARDS IN PISHIN LORA BASIN, BALOCHISTAN: ANALYSIS OF RISKS AND IMPACTS

Abstract

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, faces acute water scarcity due to arid conditions, high evaporation rates, and recurrent drought spells. The Pishin Lora Basin (PLB), one of the most water-stressed regions, has experienced severe groundwater depletion—exceeding 18 feet annually—driven by climate variability, over-extraction via tubewells, and the drying of traditional karezes and springs. This study, based on content analysis and key informant interviews in Pishin and Mastung districts, examines the socio-economic and environmental impacts of hydro-climatic hazards. Findings reveal that groundwater tables have declined from an average of 36 feet to over 586 feet in three decades, with 91% of farmers now reliant solely on groundwater. Recurrent droughts and flash floods have destroyed fruit orchards, reduced livestock, and forced rural populations into poverty and migration. The basin’s annual groundwater balance is negative (-0.396 billion m³), threatening agricultural livelihoods. The study highlights urgent need for integrated water management and climate adaptation strategies.