Reservoirs nearly full after copious rainfall

The major reservoirs—Tarbela, Mangla, and Chashma—are at 86% of their 13.354 MAF capacity.

ISLAMABAD:

The country's major reservoirs have almost reached their full capacity on Wednesday as some of the rivers witnessed low-to-medium floods following the countrywide rainfalls.

The Federal Flood Commission (FFC) said Tarbela Reservoir has maintained at its maximum conservation level of 1550 feet since August 19, 2024.

At present, water level in Mangla Reservoir is 1217.50 feet against its maximum conservation level: 1242 feet (25.42% storage still left).

The combined live storage of major reservoirs - Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma - was reported at 11.484 million acre feet (MAF) (86% of the total live storage capacity of 13.354 MAF).

It advised the dams operating authorities, including the Flood Monitoring Cell of Mangla, the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) and the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), to take utmost care and exercise extra vigilance of the reservoirs' operation.

The FFC said that at present, River Indus is experiencing 'Medium Flood' at Kotri barrage and 'Low Flood' at Tarbela and in Guddu-Sukkur reach while other major rivers in the Indus River System, i.e., Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej are discharging normal flows.

This better hydrological situation will aptly fulfil the requirement of water for the country's agriculture in the days to come. More water availability in the reservoirs will also result in more hydel generation in the coming days.

According to the FFD, Lahore, yesterday's deep depression over North Gujrat (India) has shifted and now lies over Northwestern Gujrat (India) and adjoining Southeastern Sindh (Pakistan).

Meanwhile, the low-pressure area earlier over Jharkhand (India) has weakened into trough. Yesterday's trough of Westerly Wave over Northeastern Afghanistan lies over Northern Pakistan with Seasonal Low persisting over Northwestern Balochistan.

Light to moderate moist currents from the Bay of Bengal were penetrating into upper catchments of all major rivers while strong moist currents from both the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea were penetrating into Southern Sindh and adjoining areas up to 10,000 feet.