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ISLAMABAD: A substantial increase in river flows has helped end water shortage in the country, at least for now.
And a build-up of water has enabled Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) to take over control of Tarbela dam from Indus River System Authority (Irsa).
Sources said that increase in river flows due to rain and storage of more than 1,517 feet of water helped Wapda authorities to utilise the full hydropower generation capacity, resulting in a reduction in electricity loadshedding across the country.
The good news was that despite scattered and widespread rain in the country all the rivers were flowing smoothly, with no signs of flooding being reported from anywhere.
Under the standard operating procedures, the management and regulation activities of Tarbela have to be handed over to Wapda authorities when water level in the dam crosses 1,500 feet.
On Friday, the Wapda and Irsa authorities jointly formulated the filling criteria for the dam, to ensure its safety.
The officials agreed to fill the dam up to its maximum storage capacity of 1,550 feet by Aug 31. Under the plan, four feet of water would be added on Saturday to achieve a level of 1,520 feet. On each subsequent day three feet of water would be added to take the level to 1,530 feet.
Thereafter, just above two feet of water would be added per day until the level reaches 1,540 feet, after which just one foot of water would be added each day until the level reaches 1,550 feet.
Officials said the authorities were able to conserve water because of a comfortable position in Sindh, where irrigation needs were being met through increased flows in Kabul river, enhanced releases from Tarbela and the monsoon rain.
In overall terms, there was no water shortage on Friday.
The water level in Tarbela stood at 1,517 feet as Jhelums inflows surged to 233,800 cusecs against outflows of about 120,000 cusecs. This meant the authorities were conserving about 113,000 cusecs per day, while the 120,000 cusecs in outflows allowed the officials to run at full capacity the power plants at Tarbela and Ghazi Barotha.
The water level in Mangla dam increased to 1,199 feet on Friday against its dead end of 1,040 feet and maximum storage level of 1,212 feet set for the current year, although its inflows dropped to a meagre 27,300 cusecs against outflows of 15,000 cusecs. Chenab flows stood at 85,000 cusecs.
The authorities said the total river flows at rim stations stood at 389,222 cusecs against outflows of 263,115 cusecs. This suggested that water reservoirs were conserving 126,000 cusecs each day.
