TAXILA: The monsoon rains have raised the water level in the Khanpur Dam by 17 feet.

Talking to Dawn on Monday, Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) official Irfan Khattak said the water in the reservoirs is increasing as it passes through each catchment area, especially in the galliyat and Murree, where it rains heavily almost every day. He said the recent increase in water level has reduced the chances of a water shortage till the next monsoon.

He added that the water level before the rains was 1,920 feet above mean sea level (AMSL), just10 above the dead level at 1,910 feet AMSL. The water has now risen to 1,937 feet AMSL.

Increase in water level has reduced chances of water shortage till next monsoon, dam official says

He said that the inflow had increased to 1,000 cusecs during the rainfall and on Monday the inflow was recorded at 390 cusecs. Before the rains, the inflow was 85 cusecs per day.

With the inflow increase, he said the dam authorities have also increased water supply to its beneficiaries.

Mr Khattak said that water supply had been increased on Monday to 135 cusecs per day on Monday of which the Capital Development Authority will get 80 cusecs per day.

“After the recent rains, there will be enough water for the twin cities till the next monsoon,” the official said.

The dry spell this summer had almost reduced water in the reservoir to the dead level, he said. This monsoon has helped dam officials in restoring the daily requirement of the civic bodies as well as of the irrigation department of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Tourists are also flocking to the lake, which is filled with water and many people can be seen swimming in the cool water and enjoying boat rides.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2018