Water crisis looms as dam levels drop
A view of Khanpur Dam, which is a major source of drinking and irrigation water (right). PHOTOS: MUHAMMAD SADAQAT/FILE
The water levels in all three major dams supplying water to the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad — Rawal, Simly, and Khanpur — are dropping rapidly due to significantly reduced rainfall this year.
The alarming decline is further exacerbated by a prolonged dry spell, which has also caused a steep fall in the groundwater table. In Rawalpindi, the water table has fallen below 700 feet, leading to a severe water shortage across the city.
A water rationing plan has been prepared for implementation in the second half of May. The onset of the water crisis has led to a boom in the private water tanker business.
According to the National Drought Monitoring and Early Warning Centre (NDM&EWC) in Islamabad, Rawal Dam has a storage capacity of 1,752 feet and a dead level of 1,708 feet.
Its current water level is at 1,741.10 feet and continues to decline. Simly Dam, which supplies water exclusively to Islamabad, has a capacity of 2,315 feet and a dead level of 2,233 feet, with the current level at 2,263.80 feet.
Khanpur Dam, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Abbottabad District, has a capacity of 1,982 feet and a dead level of 1,910 feet; its current level is at 1,937.58 feet.
There is currently enough water in the dams to meet the twin cities' needs for 40 to 45 days.
If heavy rainfall does not occur within the next 10 to 15 days, water levels are expected to fall drastically, also due to evaporation under intense heat.
Cattle herders have resumed bathing their buffaloes in Rawal Dam due to the drop in water levels.
WASA spokesperson and Director Muhammad Umar Farooq confirmed the water shortage caused by reduced rainfall. The Water and Sanitation Agency has implemented a "Water Control Plan" to manage the situation.
This includes crackdowns on water theft and defaulters of water bills, and bans on using water from pipelines for gardens, driveways, or washing cars. Car wash stations are being required to install water recycling systems.
WASA operates 500 tube wells, most of which date back to the 1990s and have shallow depths, making them prone to drying out. Load has increased on the newer tube wells, with some now operating for extended hours. Free water delivery through tankers is being provided in affected areas, though private water tanker requests carry a fee.
The Chahan Dam Water Supply Scheme is progressing slowly, but its completion is expected to significantly improve supply.
Officials emphasise that with changing climate patterns, tube wells are no longer a viable long-term solution - dam water is essential. If implemented, the Ghazi Barotha Project could address the water shortage in Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the next 100 years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Pre-monsoon drain desilting drive launched
Machinery is being used to speed up the process of desilting of canals in order to provide farmers timely supply of water for their crops. Photo: Express As part of pre-monsoon preparations, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has launched a major desilting operation of the 22-kilometer-long Nullah Leh and 13 major stormwater drains across Rawalpindi. Of total estimated cost of the project is Rs140 million, Rs80m will be spent on the complete desilting and realignment of Nullah Leh, while Rs60m is allocated for the storm drains. The Punjab government has approved the budget for this project. The desilting of Nullah Leh and the storm drains is scheduled for completion by June 30. The flood season for Nullah Leh is expected to run from July to September 15. Following Eidul Azha, a full-scale flood rescue drill will be conducted in low-lying areas like Javed Colony and Nadeem Colony. This exercise will include teams from the 111 Brigade, Rescue 1122, Civil Defence, and local police to simulate the evacuation of residents in case of flooding. The 111 Brigade will also be placed on red alert once the flood season begins. From June 15, a centralised Flood Control Room will be activated under the supervision of the Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner. This control room, located at the Civil Defence Headquarters, will have representatives from all 12 relevant departments. The Cantonment Boards of Rawalpindi and Chaklala will be responsible for cleaning the 11-kilometer stretch of Nullah Leh and associated storm drains that fall within their jurisdiction. A special survey by the Civil Defence Department has identified 20 high-risk locations along Nullah Leh and the storm drains. These include Javed Colony, Nadeem Colony, Arya Mohalla, Chah Sultan, New Katarian, Amar Pura Drain, Dhok Dalal Lai Bridge, Dhok Najoo, Mohalla Raja Sultan Drain, Hazara Colony, Ratta Amral, Mohanpura, Gawalmandi, Dhok Chiragh Din, Tench Bhatta Chowk, Dhok Khabba, Arya Mohalla (again), and Sadiqabad. The department has recommended enhanced monitoring and deeper desiltingby an additional two to three feetat these vulnerable points. According to the WASA spokesperson and Director of Administration, Umar Farooq, the cleanup is being treated as a top priority. Both heavy and light machinery is being used, and this year, even hard-to-reach areas in narrow, congested streets will be cleared. The desilting will improve water flow in both Nullah Leh and the storm drains. Moreover, the operation will continue beyond the initial cleanup until the end of the flood season.
Express Tribune
30-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Water crisis looms as dam levels drop
A view of Khanpur Dam, which is a major source of drinking and irrigation water (right). PHOTOS: MUHAMMAD SADAQAT/FILE The water levels in all three major dams supplying water to the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad — Rawal, Simly, and Khanpur — are dropping rapidly due to significantly reduced rainfall this year. The alarming decline is further exacerbated by a prolonged dry spell, which has also caused a steep fall in the groundwater table. In Rawalpindi, the water table has fallen below 700 feet, leading to a severe water shortage across the city. A water rationing plan has been prepared for implementation in the second half of May. The onset of the water crisis has led to a boom in the private water tanker business. According to the National Drought Monitoring and Early Warning Centre (NDM&EWC) in Islamabad, Rawal Dam has a storage capacity of 1,752 feet and a dead level of 1,708 feet. Its current water level is at 1,741.10 feet and continues to decline. Simly Dam, which supplies water exclusively to Islamabad, has a capacity of 2,315 feet and a dead level of 2,233 feet, with the current level at 2,263.80 feet. Khanpur Dam, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Abbottabad District, has a capacity of 1,982 feet and a dead level of 1,910 feet; its current level is at 1,937.58 feet. There is currently enough water in the dams to meet the twin cities' needs for 40 to 45 days. If heavy rainfall does not occur within the next 10 to 15 days, water levels are expected to fall drastically, also due to evaporation under intense heat. Cattle herders have resumed bathing their buffaloes in Rawal Dam due to the drop in water levels. WASA spokesperson and Director Muhammad Umar Farooq confirmed the water shortage caused by reduced rainfall. The Water and Sanitation Agency has implemented a "Water Control Plan" to manage the situation. This includes crackdowns on water theft and defaulters of water bills, and bans on using water from pipelines for gardens, driveways, or washing cars. Car wash stations are being required to install water recycling systems. WASA operates 500 tube wells, most of which date back to the 1990s and have shallow depths, making them prone to drying out. Load has increased on the newer tube wells, with some now operating for extended hours. Free water delivery through tankers is being provided in affected areas, though private water tanker requests carry a fee. The Chahan Dam Water Supply Scheme is progressing slowly, but its completion is expected to significantly improve supply. Officials emphasise that with changing climate patterns, tube wells are no longer a viable long-term solution - dam water is essential. If implemented, the Ghazi Barotha Project could address the water shortage in Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the next 100 years.
Express Tribune
03-10-2024
- Express Tribune
Rawalpindi faces flooding challenges
ISLAMABAD: Managing watercourses effectively is crucial for mitigating urban flooding, especially in cities like Rawalpindi which faces significant challenges due to its topography and rapid urbanisation. Different watercourses especially Nullah Leh, flowing through the city, often plays havoc with city residents when it overflows after torrential rains during monsoon season submerging different localities and inflicting losses of millions of rupees on businesses and households. With its total length of 16 kilometres from Kattarian Bridge to Soan River near the Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi bench building, 600 cusecs sewage is discharged into it daily. But, during heavy rains in twin cities, its water level rises to a dangerous level of 18 feet, most often overflowing to adjacent localities. "Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi has conducted detailed assessments to identify flood-prone areas, considering factors like topography, land use and flood data," claims Managing Director (MD) WASA, Saleem Ashraf. "The capacity of existing drainage systems was improved by deepening and widening this course to handle extra water." He said officers concerned ensure routine inspections of Nullah Leh, particularly during Monsoon to prevent blockages. "A real-time monitoring system was installed to track water levels and rainfall. The data is used to predict potential flooding and take proactive measures," he said, adding the flood response plan has also also formulated for evacuation, emergency services and recovery efforts during every monsoon season. District administration representative Engineer Aamir Khattak claims efforts by concerned departments to reduce the risk and impact of urban flooding. He said special attention was paid to low-lying localities like Rattaamral, Katarian, Tippu Road, Dhoke Naju, Gawalmandi and Zia ul Haq Colony and heavy machinery and personnel were deployed in different areas to ensure the drainage of stagnant rainwater. "The Punjab government had also directed district administration to take adequate measures against possible urban flooding during monsoon." But despite all these measures and claims of authorities, during the recent monsoon season, the Rawalpindi residents once again experienced massive urban flooding as they called for kicking off long-awaited, Ammar Chowk to Pindora, Nullah Lai Expressway project. "Nullah Leh Expressway project can prove to be a game changer, ease traffic load and help control flash flooding during monsoon," said Muhammad Asif a resident of Gawalmandi area. Mushtaq Ahmed of the Committee Chowk area also urged long-term corrective measures as he mentioned damages during recent flooding. Rawalpindi Traders Association President Shahid Ghafoor Paracha referred to havoc played by rainwater in Raja Bazaar and adjoining markets including Moti and Mochi bazaars. "Therefore, Nullah Leh should be cleared properly before the start of the monsoon. The authorities must keep in mind all this while formulating any future strategy." Although the Rawalpindi district administration has taken some measures like straightening and widening of some reaches of Nullah Leh, stone pitching of its some portions and removal of garbage, these occasional measures prove to be insufficient.
