18 January 2004	Sunday	25 Ziqa'ad 1424

ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: Capital Development Authority (CDA) is likely to reduce water supply to the capital in next few days due to water shortage in the reservoirs.

According to official sources, Simly Dam's catchment areas did not receive enough rain this year and the water was still below the normal level.

Sources at Water Supply Directorate said the CDA was currently providing 64 million gallon water (MGD) per day against the regular supply of 77MGD from different sources.

The water level at Simly Dam, the main water source for the capital, is also declining rapidly, and at present the CDA is supplying 22MGD from the dam against previous supply of 27MGD, they added.

They said water supply from Simly Dam had been reduced by 30 per cent.

The sources said at present, the water level at Simly Dam was 2,265 feet against the highest mark of 2,305.

Similarly, the CDA is supplying 6MGD from Khanpur Dam against the previous supply of 15MGD.

The sources said the authority had started water rationing to utilize the existing reserves for a longer period. Water rationing will continue till adequate rains occur in the catchment areas of Simly Dam, they added.

Meanwhile, residents of Islamabad have asked the CDA to ensure adequate supply of water to them.

They said water shortage in the capital was created due to negligence of the CDA staff, as about 50 per cent water was wasted owing to leaking pipelines.-APP