RAWALPINDI: The water supply from Khanpur Dam for the city and cantonment areas was suspended for 10 days from February 12 to February 21 due to dredging of the left bank canal.

The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB), Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), and Capital Development Authority (CDA) will jointly start the dredging of the 19.5-kilometre-long left bank channel of Khanpur Dam.

The RCB is getting 9 million gallon daily (MGD) water from Khanpur Dam, while Wasa is getting 6 MGD and CDA is getting 10 MGD water. A total of 25 MGD of water is supplied to the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

During dredging work, the water supply will be suspended for all the cantonment areas and partially in areas in the city that are being provided water through dam water.

Wasaspokesman Umer Farooq stated: “We will provide the water to the residents through water tankers in those areas where the water is being supplied through Khanpur Dam.”

He added that the eight union councils in the garrison city were supplied with water from Khanpur Dam.

These areas are: Dhoke Hassu, Ratta Amral, Pirwadhai, Fauji Colony, Railway Carriage Factory, and adjoining areas. Mr Farooq said that the water rationing would be conducted in the affected areas; however, the water supply from tube wells would continue as per schedule.

He added that the agency would provide the water, but the people should also use the water judiciously these days.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2024