Water is leaking from multiple points in Hanna Lake, located in Quetta, causing the water level to drop significantly and raising concerns that the lake could dry up. The lake’s beauty has also diminished due to the declining water levels, worrying experts, water sports enthusiasts, and residents.
Officials from the Balochistan Irrigation Department reported that the first complaint about water leakage from the lake was received in April this year, and the situation has been monitored ever since.
Hayatullah Khan Durrani, who has operated a water sports academy at Hanna Lake for the past 40 years, told Urdu News that the leakage has been ongoing for several months, leading to a substantial reduction in the water level.
A few months ago, the lake was 27 feet deep, but now it has reduced to only 14 feet. If the leakage isn’t stopped, the lake could dry up again, which would have negative environmental, economic, and social impacts,” he warned.
Durrani added, “The lake was refilled after 16 years, restoring its beauty and attracting many tourists. Boating and water sports competitions resumed, and the environment became favorable for training. However, the continuous leakage of water has raised serious concerns.”
According to the Irrigation Department’s Chief Engineer, Bashiruddin Tareen, Hanna Lake was nearly full after the April rains, with only two meters left to fill, when the first complaints of leakage surfaced. “We discovered leaks at more than three locations in the outer and lower parts of the lake, releasing a small amount of water. However, the dam structure remains intact, and there is no risk. We are not planning to drain the lake,” he said.
Tareen explained that the lake, constructed over a century ago, has seen the surrounding rocks become unstable over time, particularly due to earthquakes, leading to cracks and water leakage.
