Rawal dam spillways closed after water level drops

The district administration on Sunday opened the spillways of Rawal Dam after continuous rainfall raised the reservoir’s water level to 1,748 feet.

According to the spokesman of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration, the level was only four feet below the dam’s maximum storage capacity of 1,752 feet, prompting the release of water to mitigate the risk of overflow.

Officials confirmed that after discharging water for approximately six and a half hours, the dam’s water level dropped to 1,746 feet. The spillways were subsequently closed as the situation stabilised.

The decision to open the spillways was taken in coordination with various departments, including the district administration, Rescue 1122, and the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA).

These teams were deployed at critical locations, including bridges, streams, and vulnerable downstream points, to manage the released water flow and ensure public safety.

The Assistant Commissioner of Nilore supervised the entire water release operation, overseeing safety measures on the ground.

Magistrates, Rescue 1122 teams, ambulances, and union council staff remained stationed on different bridges and along the banks of streams throughout the discharge period.

The administration maintained contact with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) to monitor rainfall patterns and assess further risks.

According to officials, the dam’s spillways are only opened when the reservoir nears its storage limit, to manage water pressure and prevent potential damage to the dam structure.

Authorities assured that despite the heavy rains, no major flooding or emergency was reported downstream due to timely coordination and monitoring.

However, residents living near water channels were advised to remain alert for updates from the district administration in the event of further rainfall.

Rawal Dam supplies water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi and plays a key role in managing seasonal rains.

Its operation, along with weather monitoring, forms part of broader efforts to mitigate the risk of urban flooding in the twin cities during the monsoon season.

The district administration stated it would continue to monitor the situation closely and take preventive measures based on future weather forecasts.

The public was urged to cooperate with authorities and follow safety instructions to prevent any untoward incident.

Earlier in the day, the Meteorological Department had forecast additional rainfall in the region, raising concerns over increasing water levels in dams and rivers.

The administration, however, reassured that all precautionary measures were in place to address the impact of continued rain.