Khanpur Dam water level has fallen to a worrying low, now just 11 feet above its dead storage level. This dramatic decline is the result of ongoing dry conditions, raising serious concerns about the water supply in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Twin Cities May Face Water Shortage
Officials stated on Friday that the dam’s level had dropped to 1,921 feet, just a little bit higher than its lowest point of 1,910 feet. At 16 cusecs per day, water enters the dam, and at 127 cusecs per day, it exits. Civic users like CDA and RCB receive 96.18 cusecs of this total. If the weather remains dry, the dam could be emptied in less than a month due to the wide gap between inflow and outflow.
According to an official, Islamabad and Rawalpindi’s needs could be satisfied with the current water volume for roughly 25 days. He clarified that the Khanpur Dam water level level drops by 0.10 feet every day due to regular supply to civic bodies.
Dry Weather in Catchment Areas Worsens Conditions
In recent weeks, there has been no rainfall in the Galiyat and Margalla Hills, which supply water to the reservoir. Rocks and dry mounds have consequently formed throughout the lake bed, particularly close to the main storage area and spillways. The dam might soon reach dead level if there is no rain in the next ten to fifteen days.
A month ago, dam authorities shut off Punjab’s and KP’s irrigation supply due to the low water volume. The water table has fallen precipitously in Wah and Taxila. Additionally, local tourism has decreased. The lake has dried up entirely, and boatmen have abandoned their craft on its fractured surface.
About 40 kilometres from Islamabad, close to Khanpur village, is the dam that provides water to the twin cities. However, the dam’s capacity to supply this demand is now seriously questioned due to declining inflows.
