Tarbela set to reach maximum level

Mangla still short of the required capacity

ISLAMABAD: The heavy monsoon season has improved the river flows in the country, which has increased the water level in major reservoirs.

Indus River System Authority (Irsa) spokesperson Muhammad Khalid Rana told The Express Tribune that the recent rains have helped in improving the water level in Tarbela dam, which had reached historical low levels several times earlier this year.

“We are expecting that from August 20 onwards the water level in Tarbela will reach its maximum conservation level of 1,550 cusecs feet and the dam for the very first time in this season will be full,” he said.

Currently the water level in Tarbela is 1,541.23 cusecs feet, which was 155.23 feet higher than its dead level of 1,386 feet.



Khalid said Irsa has planned to maintain the water level in Tarbela till first week of September.

“The more the water level is maintained the more it will be beneficial for the Rabi crops,” he said.

However, he expressed disappointment over the low water level at Mangla dam.

“The water level in Mangla dam is below satisfactory level and there are no good signs that it will improve in the coming days,” Khalid said.



On Wednesday, the water level in Mangla was recorded 1,166.35 cusecs feet against the maximum conservation level of 1,242 cusecs feet.

Sharing the details he said the main reason behind this worrisome situation in Mangla is low snowfall and rainfall in its catchment areas.

“This situation is expected to have a bad impact on Rabi crops especially on wheat,” he maintained.

While considering the critical water level in the Mangla Dam, Irsa has maintained outflow from the dam at 10,000 cusecs.

Water is flowing in the Mangla Dam but with a very slow and small amount that reflects there would be no satisfactory improvement in the coming days, he said.