Rawal Dam desilting slashes water supply

Residents urged to conserve water for essential use during maintenance period

RAWALPINDI:

A schedule for desilting and repair of Rawal Dam canals has been issued, under which Rawalpindi city's daily water supply will be reduced by 50 per cent during the maintenance period.

The work will continue from January 1 to January 11.

Due to the reduction in supply, several areas of Rawalpindi including Committee Chowk, Raja Bazaar, Purana Qila, Mohanpura, Bagh Sardaran, Dhoke Mangtal, Arya Mohalla and surrounding localities are expected to be affected.

However, water supply from Khanpur Dam and tube wells in these areas will continue as usual.

According to a joint meeting of the Small Dams Organisation and WASA administration, a repair and desilting plan for the main canal emerging from Rawal Dam, along with the Right Bank Canal and Left Bank Canal, has been approved. Under the plan, repair and cleaning work on the main canal will be carried out from January 1 to January 3, 2026, while work on the right and left bank canals will continue from January 3 to January 11.

As a result, Rawal Dam's raw water supply to WASA will be affected by up to 50 per cent.

During this period, various parts of the city may experience reduced water supply or partial shortages.

WASA Rawalpindi is making alternative arrangements to cope with the situation, including additional water supply through Khanpur Dam, tube wells and water tankers.

The authority has also assured uninterrupted provision of clean drinking water through mini filtration plants across the city.

WASA has appealed for public cooperation and urged citizens to use water carefully during the period. People have been advised to avoid washing floors, vehicles, motorcycles, lawns and gardens, and to ensure taps are not left open.

Managing Director WASA, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, directed water supply officers and staff to ensure uninterrupted supply through alternative sources and stressed immediate repair of tube wells and prompt resolution of complaints.

He also ordered strict action against consumers wasting water.

The MD appealed to citizens to use available water only for drinking, cooking and essential household needs to ensure fair distribution across all areas. He added that relevant departments would ensure timely completion of canal maintenance so that water supply from Rawal Dam could be restored to normal after January 11.

Citizens may contact WASA field offices or helpline 1334 in case of complaints, emergencies or water tanker requests.