ADB approves $48 million for key dams and irrigation systems in Balochistan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional $48 million for the Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project, aimed at improving water management and irrigation in Pakistan’s largest province.

The funding will allow the completion of key components that were previously delayed, including the Churi Infiltration Gallery, development of the Siri Toi Dam command area, and watershed management initiatives. These measures are expected to improve irrigation efficiency, promote sustainable water use, and reduce soil erosion caused by flooding.

Under the project, an innovative piped water distribution system will be introduced in the Siri Toi command area. According to ADB, this system will deliver water more efficiently, cut losses during transport, and provide better service to communities compared with traditional open channels.

“Additional financing will support livelihoods and create better economic opportunities, particularly for women involved in agriculture,” said Emma Fan, ADB’s Country Director for Pakistan. She noted that the project focuses on the Zhob and Mula river basins, regions where water scarcity and climate challenges have long threatened farming communities.

Agriculture is central to Balochistan’s economy, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the province’s output and employing about 60 percent of its 13 million residents. Yet frequent droughts, limited water management capacity, and climate risks have heightened poverty, which remains almost twice the national average.

Once completed, the Siri Toi Dam will store 36 million cubic metres of water, improving reliable supply for domestic and agricultural use across 16,592 hectares, including 1,839 hectares under khushkaba, or rainwater harvesting, systems. Watershed management efforts such as tree planting, soil conservation, and check dams will also help prevent land degradation and better manage flood risks.

The project is cofinanced by the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, funded by the Government of Japan through ADB, as well as the High-Level Technology Fund. The initiative aims to create a climate-resilient and sustainable water system that will benefit Balochistan’s communities over the long term.