ISLAMABAD, May 18: A formula has been devised for distribution of water from Khanpur Dam between Islamabad, Rawalpindi and 19 villages of Panj Katha area.

A meeting was held in this regard which was attended by Haripur Hazara District Nazim Dr Raja Amir Zaman, representative of the Rawalpindi corps commander, officials of the Capital Development Authority and Rawalpindi Development Authority, project director of Khanpur Dam and irrigation departments of the Punjab and the NWFP.

The meeting unanimously agreed to release 10 cusecs of water in a week each for Islamabad, Rawalpindi and villages of Panj Katha area.

According to the formula, 20 cusecs of water from the dam would be utilized for Islamabad and Rawalpindi (10 cusecs each) during the first half of the week. Similarly, 10 cusecs water would be used for irrigation purposes in Panj Katha villages during the second half of the week.

Rural dwellers of Khanpur area had complained that with water going below dead-level in the dam, the authorities initially reduced their water share from 39 cusecs to 10 cusecs. Later, the supply was also stopped.

The Haripur Hazara district government took strong notice of the denial of water, as traditional canals, irrigating fruit orchards and other crops, had almost dried up. Farmers had complained that due to suspension of water supply to their lands and provision of more water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi from Khanpur Dam, fruit farms and standing crops in Panj Katha valley of Taxila, Hazara and Hasanabdal areas had been badly affected.

They had accused the dam administration of blocking water supply to their villages and supplying their share to the federal capital.—PPI