Water rationing imposed till Feb 8

Silt cleaning at Khanpur Dam reduces 18 MGD of water supply

RAWALPINDI:

The administrations of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have imposed water rationing as supply to a number of areas was affected due to dredging in Khanpur Dam that began on Monday, a spokesperson shared.

The water supply to the twin cities has been reduced by 18 million gallons per day (MGD) from a quota of 27 MGD, the official noted. He mentioned that Islamabad and Rawalpindi are being supplied with only 10 MGD of water, adding that normally, about 18 MGD of water is supplied to cantonment boards while the rest is Islamabad's share from the Khanpur water supply channel.

The official maintained that the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), and Chakala and Rawalpindi Cantonment Boards have enforced water rationing till February 8 while the silt cleaning activity is under way.

Pindi admin plans action against land grabbers

During the cleaning activity, it was also been learnt that water is being stolen from the channel as it was being siphoned off from the main course to various endpoints. The administration has closed down all such points from where water was being drawn off illegally, the spokesperson noted.

He stated that the regular supply of water would be restored once the dredging is completed on February 8. Until then, the related institutions have formed plans to cope with the shortage through water rationing from Rawal Dam and tube wells.

The citizens have also been directed to avoid over consumption of water through daily washing of cars and watering of plants.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2021.