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News18
08-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Islamabad, Rawalpindi Have Water Left For Just 35 Days As Critical Dam Nears 'Dead Level': Report
Last Updated: India last week suspended the Indus Water Treaty, a decades-old agreement with Pakistan seen as a vital lifeline for downstream regions, in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack A dire water crisis is fast unfolding in Islamabad and Rawalpindi in Pakistan as the once-reliable Khanpur Dam inches toward depletion, exposing rocks and parched land where once water flowed freely. India last week suspended the Indus Water Treaty, a decades-old agreement seen as a vital lifeline for downstream regions, in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack which was traced to Pakistan-based terror groups. The Khanpur Dam, a major source of potable water for Rawalpindi and Islamabad, now holds only enough reserves to last about 35 days, according to figures reported by Dawn News. The dam, located on the Haro River, a minor tributary of the Indus, has seen water levels plunge dramatically due to prolonged dry weather and dwindling rainfall. As of Tuesday, May 7, the water level stood at 1,935 feet above mean sea level (AMSL), just 25 feet above the 'dead level" – the point at which the dam can no longer supply water. The natural springs that feed the dam's catchment area have dried up, said an official from the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), attributing the situation to a relentless drought and sparse rainfall. The official noted that the current inflow is a meagre 82 cusecs, while the daily outflow has reached 235 cusecs – an imbalance that is rapidly draining reserves. Of that outflow, 90 cusecs are being supplied daily to the Capital Development Authority (CDA), which oversees water distribution in Islamabad. Smaller consumers, such as the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) in Taxila, are receiving around 6.18 cusecs. Meanwhile, agricultural allocations are under threat: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab irrigation departments are currently receiving 48 and 42 cusecs, respectively, but authorities say irrigation supply will be halted entirely starting next week to conserve drinking water. To confront the looming shortage, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) in Rawalpindi has launched a strict 'Water Control Plan'. This includes a crackdown on illegal water connections, penalties for non-payment of water bills, and restrictions on non-essential water use. WASA Managing Director Mohammad Salim Ashraf said Rawalpindi needs 50 million gallons of water each day but is receiving only 30 million – a shortfall of 20 million gallons. The agency is preparing to implement water rationing measures by mid-May if rainfall doesn't replenish supplies soon. Authorities warn that without immediate relief, even the provision of drinking water could be compromised. Satellite images and eyewitness reports show dried-up channels and exposed bedrock in parts of the Khanpur reservoir, especially near the spillway and main storage areas. The dam lies about 40 kilometres from Islamabad and 15 kilometres from Haripur, traditionally serving as a critical resource for both cities. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Express Tribune
30-04-2025
- Climate
- 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.
