SWABI: The Tarbela Dam authorities have warned people downstream to stay away from Indus river banks in anticipation of excessive release of water from the dam during the monsoon season, sources told Dawn on Wednesday.

The sources said that the spillways of the Tarbela Dam were likely to be put into operation for the first time in the flood season 2025.

Water discharge from Tarbela Dam may cause low to medium flood downstream and all precautionary measures should be taken accordingly, said the sources.

There are thousands of villages situated at the banks of the Indus River downstream andfishing is the main source of livelihood for a large number people.

When contacted, an official on condition of anonymity said: “We have advised masses to take required precautionary measures as the dam authorities have decided to open the spillways in the face of increased water flow into Tarbela Dam’s lake.”

He said that the people should avoid the downstream areas, however, he added, when spillways needed to be opened, sirens were regularly run, a clear message for the people to move to safer places.

A senior employee at the dam said that if a fisherman or people got trapped in the downstream water, it was very difficult to rescue them; therefore, they needed to strictly follow the precautions.

Aamir Yousafzai, who lives near Indus River, said that the locals knew everything about the release of water, but visitors due to lack of knowledge often lost their lives by falling into the river.

Meanwhile, the floodwaters inundated various low-lying areas, badly damaging the standing crops. The rescue teams were busy in moving people and vehicles to safer places, as no loss of life was reported.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2025