01 February 2004	Sunday	09 Zilhaj 1424

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: Heavy snowfall in upper parts of Pakistan and various parts of Azad Kashmir is reported satisfactory to meet water requirements of the country in the coming seasons.

According to Met Office, upper parts of the country and the AJK received heavy snowfall during the last three days and expected more in the next couple of days only after a gap of two weeks.

Water level at Tarbela, the biggest water reservoir reached to 1,441.21 feet having live storage capacity of water 1.912maf which is more than 72 feet higher than the dead level of 1,369 feet at the dam.

According to official data released by Indus River System Authority (Irsa) on Saturday, water inflow at the dam remained 16,300 cusec and release was recorded only 15,000 cusec, even less than the inflow, because of the closure of canals in various parts of Punjab and Sindh due to the desilting campaign.

When asked to comment on the water position of the dams, an official of Irsa expressed his satisfaction over the water situation at both the dams - Tarbela and Mangla.

Giving details about the Mangla Dam, he said water level at Mangla was recorded 1,120.20 feet which is more than 80 feet above the dead level 1,040 feet.

Water inflow at the dam remained 16,700 cusec and outflow was recorded only 22,000 cusec. "We are expecting further water level improvement due to the increase of inflow at both the major water reservoirs owing to ongoing rains," he said.

When asked about the contribution of River Kabul and River Chenab, he said contribution of the two rivers was recorded at 11,400 cusec and 11,300 cusec, respectively.

It may be recalled here that Tarbela and Mangla dams received unprecedented water inflow during last February owing to heavy rains in the upper parts of the country. More than 100 feet increase was recorded at Mangla dam only within four to five days due to heavy rains that time which rescued Irsa to meet water shortage in the country last year.

Responding to a question about snowfall in upper parts of the country, he said, "Reports about snowfall in upper parts of the country during the last few days, specially in Northern Areas, are satisfactory and there will be no shortage of water in the coming seasons."-APP