TAXILA: The recent monsoon spell has almost filled the Khanpur Dam, restoring maximum water supply to civic authorities for distribution to residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

It has also reinstated irrigation water supply to the provinces of KP and Punjab, which was previously suspended due to water shortages. The gushing water has also revived water sports activities, attracting a large number of local tourists.

According to officials, the recent monsoon rains have added 37 feet of water to Khanpur Dam, which had earlier been facing drought-like conditions.

“The recent monsoon spell has added 37 feet of water to the dam, bringing its water level to 1,956.30 feet above mean sea level (AMSL), just 26 feet below its maximum storage capacity of 1,982 AMSL,” said a Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) official at the dam.

He added that the water level had improved considerably after heavy rainfall in the catchment areas, especially the Margalla Hills and Galiyat. The increase is expected to sustain water needs until the next monsoon season. “The recent wet spell has significantly increased the water level in the three dams, ensuring sufficient supply until next monsoon,” the official said.

He informed that before the rain, the water level was 1,919 feet AMSL — just 9 feet above the dead level of 1,910 AMSL. He also noted that the dam’s inflow, which had been 85 cusecs per day a few days earlier, has now increased to 1,183 cusecs per day.

“With the increase in inflow, the dam authorities have also increased water supply to its beneficiaries, which is now 56 cusecs per day,” he said. Routine supply to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and for irrigation in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has resumed.

In response to a question, he said that 156 acre-feet of water stored in the dam would be sufficient to meet the twin cities’ requirements until December.

Meanwhile, as the water level rose, a large number of visitors and picnickers from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Haripur, Taxila, Wah Cantt, Hattar, and adjoining areas flocked to the dam to enjoy the gushing water and water sports.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2025