SWABI: The authorities have decided to open tunnel-5 of Tarbela Dam that will increase flow of water in the downstream manifold.

Sources said that the dam authorities warned the people living in the downstream villages or using the River Indus for transportation and swimming to take extra care and avoid using the river like the previous practices because the flow of the water was expected to be increased manifold.

“The people must be careful. We have informed them and before release of the water we also run the siren,” said an official on condition of anonymity, when contacted.

A notification issued by Tarbela Dam authorities says that it is noted for information of all concerned that tunnel No.5 may be put into operation for the first time soon.

The discharge downstream Tarbela in the Indus River to fluctuate between 90,000 cubic feet per second to 250,000 cubic feet per second till further notice.

Meanwhile, police seized 70 kilograms of charas and arrested 20 people in a two-day crackdown against drug peddlers and smugglers.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, DPO Imran Shahid said that the crackdown was conducted across the district to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society.

“We have broken supply chain of the smugglers,” he said. The arrested persons belong to different areas of the district and FIRs have been registered against them.

The DPO said that these people would be interrogated and all others directly or indirectly involved in drug peddling would also be arrested.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2020