Below-average rainfall lowers dam levels

Rawal, Simly and Khanpur reservoirs expected to fill up during monsoon downpour

RAWALPINDI:

Water levels in the three reservoirs supplying Rawalpindi and Islamabad have declined following below-average rainfall over the past two months and only two pre-monsoon showers, although officials insist there is no immediate risk of a water shortage in the twin cities.

Despite the onset of the monsoon season, none of the three dams has yet reached its full storage capacity.

According to official figures, Rawal Dam has a storage capacity of 1,752 acre-feet and currently holds 1,708 acre-feet of water, leaving 44 acre-feet of available storage.

The reservoir is supplying approximately 28 million gallons of water per day to Rawalpindi city and the cantonment areas, while Islamabad also receives water from the dam, contributing to the gradual decline in its water level.

Simly Dam, which supplies water exclusively to Islamabad, has a storage capacity of 2,315 acre-feet and currently contains 2,211 acre-feet of water.

Meanwhile, Khanpur Dam has a total storage capacity of 1,982 acre-feet and presently holds 1,909 acre-feet. According to a spokesperson for the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), the water level at Khanpur Dam remains satisfactory.

The spokesperson said that although water levels at Rawal and Simly dams were below maximum capacity, there was no cause for concern, as the monsoon season had now begun.

The official expressed confidence that heavy rainfall forecast for the coming week would significantly improve inflows into all three reservoirs. He added that if the expected rains continue, the spillways of Rawal, Simly and Khanpur dams could be opened during August as water levels approach their maximum storage capacity.