Khanpur Dam reservoir filled to brim

Water level hits 10-year high for June

KHANPUR: The rising water level in Khanpur Dam reservoir broke 10-year record when it reached its maximum capacity in the month of June. Usually, water level is at lowest level during May-June ahead of rainy season of monsoon. The abnormal precipitation in the catchment areas of the Abbottabad and Haripur districts has filled the dam to the brim after almost 10 years.

Khanpur Dam not only provides drinking water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi, but is also a source for irrigation in some parts of K-P and Punjab as well.

The high water level in the dam would also help to maintain groundwater level from Khanpur to Attock. Officials said that there would be no shortage of water in Rawalpindi and Islamabad and for irrigation purposes as well.

Amazingly, during May, spillways of Khanpur Dam were opened last more than four times owing to the excessive inflow of water and exceeding the capacity of the reservoir. Khanpur Dam Lake is also a picnic spot for the people of Rawalpindi, Islamabad besides Hazara and other adjoining districts of K-P.

The lake has attracted the people to come and enjoy the serene beauty of the area.

Although there is a ban on swimming in the lake, some young people jump in and it has caused a number of deaths due to drowning.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2020.