<p style="background-color: #ffffff; margin: 0pt 0pt 14pt;">Pakistani teenagers make a long trek out of a shrunken swimming hole at drought-ravaged Simli Dam, about 15 miles (25 kilometers) from Islamabad, in a photo taken June 22.</p><p style="background-color: #ffffff; margin: 0pt 0pt 14pt;">A lack of rain has forced Pakistan to drain its reservoirs and groundwater supplies, and as these reserves run out, a water crisis looms. The nation’s growing population needs more water, but recent rainfall has fallen far short of averages even as the nation eagerly awaits this year’s summer monsoon.</p><p style="background-color: #ffffff; margin: 0pt 0pt 14pt;">The Pakistan Meteorological Department says the country has entered stages of meteorological drought (with 40 percent less than expected rainfall), hydrological drought (surface water availability 30 percent less than normal), and agricultural drought (which is severely impacting crop production).</p>

Shrunken Simli Dam Reservoir

Pakistani teenagers make a long trek out of a shrunken swimming hole at drought-ravaged Simli Dam, about 15 miles (25 kilometers) from Islamabad, in a photo taken June 22.

A lack of rain has forced Pakistan to drain its reservoirs and groundwater supplies, and as these reserves run out, a water crisis looms. The nation’s growing population needs more water, but recent rainfall has fallen far short of averages even as the nation eagerly awaits this year’s summer monsoon.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department says the country has entered stages of meteorological drought (with 40 percent less than expected rainfall), hydrological drought (surface water availability 30 percent less than normal), and agricultural drought (which is severely impacting crop production).

Photograph by Farooq Naeem, AFP/Getty Images

PHOTOS: Amid Drought, Pakistan Prays for Rain

Sparse rainfall, surging demand, and inefficient infrastructure have combined to create devastating drought conditions across much of Pakistan.

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.

Create your free account to continue reading

No credit card required. Unlimited access to free content.
Or get a Premium Subscription to access the best of Nat Geo - just $19
SUBSCRIBE

Read This Next

'World’s worst shipwreck' was bloodier than we thought
World’s first ultrasounds of wild manta rays reveal a troubling truth
Titanic was found during secret Cold War Navy mission

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet