Spring showers avert water crisis

Officials say major water reservoirs filled up to capacity

RAWALPINDI:

Unexpected heavy rains this year during the spring season have averted the likely water crisis in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad by filing major reservoirs up to capacity.

According to sources, the spillways of Rawal Dam, Simly Dam, and Khanpur Dam - the three major water bodies quenching the twin cities' thirst - will be opened during the pre-monsoon rains. At present, the three dams have enough water to meet the water needs of the twin cities for ten months.

The Rawal Dam has a water storage capacity of 1,752 feet and 47,508 acres, whereas the water storage in the dam has reached 17,44 feet.

Moreover, 28,750 acre-feet of water can be stored in Simly Dam, and currently, 27,980 acre-feet of water is accumulated there.

Khanpur Dam is the third major source of water supply to the twin cities with a water storage capacity of 79,980 acres-feet and currently, 80 per cent of its storage capacity has been filled. The nearly two-kilometer catchment area of this dam is full of water. The metrological department has forecast that pre-monsoon rain will start from June 15 and the water storage situation will improve further.

On the other hand, the ongoing rains are replenishing the underground water level continuously.

Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Spokesperson Umar Farooq said that more than 450 tube wells of the civic agency are pumping out water to cater to the needs of the garrison city. “This year we have also placed additional water motors. In case of any tube well malfunction, the motors will be replaced immediately,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2023.