De-Silting: Pindi to see water shortage

Rawalpindi will see its supply cut by 10 million gallons per day, says CDA spokesman.

ISLAMABAD: Residents of Rawalpindi might see water issues over the next few days. Both Islamabad and Rawalpindi will see their supply of water from Khanpur Dam reduce until January 20, as the government de-silts and cleans the left bank canal. A Capital Development Authority (CDA) Spokesperson said on Thursday that Rawalpindi will see its supply cut by 10 million gallons per day (MGD), while Islamabad’s reduction is five MGD. Rawalpindi’s daily demand is 50MGD, therefore there will be a 20% shortfall in supply versus demand. Islamabad, however, will not be affected, according to a CDA official as the water supply from Simly Dam will be increased from 32 MGD to 35MGD to meet the shortfall from Khanpur Dam. Normally, Islamabad gets 10MGD from Khanpur and 32MGD from Simly Dam, while Rawalpindi receives 15MGD from Khanpur Dam, according to CDA General Water Management Director Sanaullah Aman.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2012.