Precautionary measures: Khanpur Dam spillway opened

HARIPUR:

Following heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Khanpur Dam, Water and Power Development Authorities announced they would open the spillway of the reservoir on Friday at 6pm for ten hours to release surplus water.

Catchment areas like Murree, Ayubia, Hazara and Azad Kashmir have been receiving heavy rain over the last 36 hours, causing the water levels to rise to 1,979.2 feet against the maximum level of 1,982 feet.

While the spillway gates remain open, about two feet or 6,500 cusecs of water will be discharged in Harrow River, expected to lower water levels to 1,977 feet.

Officials at the dam said authorities have decided to create a 2 to 4 feet of allowance in the reservoir and might reopen the spillway gates again so any sudden inflow of water could be adjusted without any problems.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2014.