bid Ullah, 45, a resident of Chanda, a village in Haleemzai tehsil in the Mohmand tribal district, was forced to migrate with his family due to severe water shortages. He has purchased four kanals of land and built a home in Somanat, a village in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda. The area, located near the Kabul River, has a high underground water table. Having bored a shallow well, Abid Ullah now has ample water for his household and kitchen garden. He and his family are living happily, no longer worried about water scarcity.

In recent years, severe water shortages in parts of Mohmand have left hundreds of families struggling to access drinking water. Many have migrated to Peshawar, Charsadda and Mardan. The tribal district of Bajaur, which borders Mohmand, is also experiencing a drinking water crisis. Gandao, a village of 50 households at the foot of Shengas mountain in Utmankhel tehsil, relies on natural streams as its primary water source. Since 2020, at least ten streams have dried up, leaving locals facing acute water scarcity. Some families have migrated to other areas. Those who remain have pooled money to set up borewells a short distance from their village where the water table is still favourable. Women from other nearby villages too take water from these wells.

The rapid depletion of groundwater is a critical issue in the tribal and southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. To meet their daily drinking water needs, local communities have turned to varied indigenous solutions. In Lakki Marwat district, residents use traditional methods to store rainwater in open wells at home, using it for drinking and household purposes. However, prolonged dry spells have caused many of these wells to dry up, increasing concerns about water supply.

Fazle Amin, 40, a resident of Charsadda, has been drilling borewells for homes for 20 years. He has observed a continuous decline in the water table. “I remember that 18 years ago, we would hit water just five feet below the surface. Recently, we had to bore 70 feet to reach water,” he says.

Dr Asif Khan, a PhD in water and climate change from the University of Cambridge, emphasises that addressing water scarcity requires identifying its root causes. He attributes the drinking water crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to three primary factors: climate change, urban expansion and rapid population growth.

He says that climate change is one of the most significant contributors to water scarcity. Rainfall patterns have shifted drastically, with a noticeable decline in winter precipitation. Previously, consistent winter rains played a crucial role in replenishing groundwater reserves. However, these rains have become irregular, often replaced by sudden heavy downpours that lead to flash floods. While such floods bring large volumes of water, they do not contribute to groundwater recharge.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a drought alert following significantly below-average rainfall across the country, with some regions facing up to 62 percent shortfall. Between September 1, 2024, and March 21, 2025, Pakistan recorded 40 percent less rainfall than usual, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received 35 percent less rain, according to a PMD alert.

Dr Asif Khan says that poor land-use planning too has worsened the crisis. “Some of the new townships and commercial high-rises are being built in water recharge zones, reducing the natural replenishment of underground water reserves. Unchecked urban sprawl is directly impacting the region’s ability to sustain its water supply,” he says.

The third major factor is rapid population growth. This has placed immense pressure on water resources. “The lack of proper resource allocation and population control measures have exacerbated the crisis,” he adds.

Dr Khan stresses the need for urgent measures. He says reducing unnecessary water consumption should be a top priority. He advocates for public awareness campaigns to educate people on responsible water use. Also, wastewater from car washes, kitchens and mosques—especially ablution water—should be treated and repurposed for irrigation and gardening.

He also highlights the importance of promoting rooftop rainwater collection systems, similar to successful models implemented in Murree and Azad Kashmir, where residents use rainwater for household needs. “The introduction of recharge wells is crucial for restoring and maintaining groundwater levels. Additionally, construction in natural water recharge zones must be strictly regulated to prevent further depletion,” he says.

Dr Khan also calls for large-scale tree plantation initiatives that contribute to water conservation and improve the sustainability of natural water sources. “By implementing these measures, we can effectively combat water scarcity and ensure a more sustainable future.”

The writer is a multimedia producer. His X handle: @daudpasaney