KHYBER: The Khyber irrigation department has started work on the construction of barani dam in Landi Kotal in order to overcome shortage of drinking water.

Officials said that a suitable site in the hilly area of Shiekhmalkhel area was selected after conducting thorough soil and rocks study.

They said the dam would be constructed at a cost of Rs33 million with a capacity of four million gallons of water when filled to the capacity.

They said the project upon its completion would help in raising the water table while helping in overcoming the acute shortage of drinking water in dry season, particularly during summers.

Residents of Landi Kotal have been facing shortage of water since the last three decades as the water table had gone down considerably due to low rainfall.

Officials said that a 50-feet high and 110-feet long concrete dam wall would be constructed. They added that the dam water would also be provided to the nearby localities for agricultural purposes in order to promote farming in the area.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2026