How does the qanat irrigation system in Balochistan reduce water loss?
The premise that the qanat system is used specifically to reduce water loss in Balochistan is correct, though it is important to note that this indigenous method, also known as a kÄrez, is a traditional technology used to manage water in arid environments rather than a modern mechanical system.1
In the arid Balochistan plateau, the qanÄt system functions by tapping into subsoil water at the base of hills. This water is then transported to agricultural fields and villages through a network of underground channels and galleries. By keeping these water channels underground, the system effectively minimizes the loss of water that would otherwise occur through evaporation, which is a critical advantage in the region's hot, dry climate. Water is accessed from these channels via shafts sunk at intervals along the route.1