HARIPUR: Owing to ongoing rains in catchment areas of Khanpur Dam, the authorities here on Friday opened its spillways to discharge the surplus water.

Official sources said the dam was filled to the maximum conservation level for the second time during a week, forcing the dam authorities to spill out surplus water. The step was taken to avoid any emergency and harm to the dam’s structure and populated areas downstream on the sides of Harro River.

The reservoir’s catchment areas include upper Hazara and Azad Kashmir. The dam authorities opened the spillways at around 4pm on Friday for lowering the water level to 1980 feet from the maximum conservation level of 1982 feet. The spillways would remain open till discharge of 6,600 cusecs of water, the sources said.

6,600 cusecs water being discharged

They said the inflow recorded on Friday afternoon was 1948 cusecs and the total outflow from the right and left canals 139.18 cusecs. They said that three days ago the dam authorities had discharged 6,600 cusecs when the water touched the level of 1982 feet.

MAN GETS LIFE TERM: A local court has awarded life term to a man who was convicted for killing a mason over a minor dispute in Khalabat Township.

According to police record, Mohammad Farman of Khalabat Township was arrested on the charges of killing Khan Bahadur, a mason, in May 2012 for leaving some fault in his under-construction house.

The case was transferred to Model Trial and Criminal Court, Haripur, and after arguments from both sides judge Sajjad Ahmed Jan handed down 25 years jail and Rs500,000 in fine to Farman.

NINE INJURED: At least nine people were injured when two groups clashed over appointment of a prayer leader at Chikahee village’s mosque in Beer union council, police said on Friday.

They said the local people scuffled over the issue on Thursday night after Isha prayers where they used sharp weapons, leaving nine persons from both sides injured.

Those injured were identified as Ijaz, Zaheen, Ilyas, Ehsan, Inayat, Sheeraz, Nawab, Zeeshan and Haroon. They were taken to Haripur Trauma Centre and then referred to Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2020