10 July 2004	Saturday	21 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, July 9: Water level of three dams of the twin cities has increased by three feet after the first spell of monsoon rain, an official of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) told Dawn on Friday.

The official said in view of the increase in water reserves in Islamabad, supply would be increased within a couple of days. He said due to persisting heat and increase in demand of water, the dam's water level had declined. However, the situation was now improving, he added.

Water level of Simly Dam recorded on Friday was 2,251.5 feet which was 2,248 feet two days ago. The official said at present, the CDA was supplying 63 million gallons per day (MGD) from Simly Dam which would be increased to over 65 MGD within the next two days.

He said the authority had a fleet of 39 tankers out of which 28 remained on road while seven were used in case of emergency or to overcome water scarcity in the affected areas. He appealed to the citizens not to waste water and avoid frequent car-washing so that the existing water reserve could be supplied on daily basis.

He said the CDA had launched a drive against those who had installed water pumps and drained water direct from government water supply lines. In this connection, some 50 notices were served on the violators in the current month while 28 water pumps had been confiscated.

The official said water supply from Khanpur Dam had also been increased after the current rain. At present, nine MGD was being supplied to Islamabad from Khanpur Dam against its previous supply of eight MGD.