RAWALPINDI: The spillways of Rawal Dam were opened on Saturday after the key water reservoir filled to capacity following heavy rains in its catchment areas.
On the contrary, the water level in Khanpur Dam was still 50 per cent of the total storage capacity.
The spillways of Rawal Dam were opened for five hours from 6am to 11am to drain excess water after the water level rose to 1,748 feet. It was the first time this monsoon season that the spillways were opened.
Small Dam Organisation official told Dawn that sirens were blown for 30 minutes before opening the spillways so people residing along the Korang Nullah could refrain from fishing and bathing in the downstream because of the release of a large amount of water from the lake, as it could be dangerous.
However, he said that the officials caught a man swimming in the water while Rescue officials and administration remained alert to deal with any untoward situation.
Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Managing Director Azizullah Khan told Dawn that in the current monsoon spell, the dam filled for the first time and it will be adequate water supply to Rawalpindi till the winter season.
He said that the current water level is 1,748 feet and the maximum capacity of the dam is 1,952 feet.
He added that last year, the dam filled more than 10 times during the monsoon season. “Once it fills, the water will be sufficient till winter rains,” he said.
He said that at present, the water is enough for 85 days to fulfil the twin cities’ requirements of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. He said that less rain fell in the catchment areas of Khanpur Dam. However, he expected more rain until August 5 in the upper parts of the twin cities, which would increase the water level in the dams and the underground water table.
The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad rely on water from three main dams, Rawal, Simly and Khanpur. Rawalpindi city and Cantonment get water from Rawal and Khanpur dams, while Islamabad gets water from Simly and Khanpur dams. The remaining water requirements are met through tube wells.
In Rawalpindi, there are more than 500 tubewells in the city and 200 in the cantonment areas. A water shortage will occur in the cantonment areas and Islamabad in the coming days if rain does not fall in the catchment areas of Khanpur Dam. It may be mentioned here that at present the water demand of the city, having a population of about 1.5 million, is 68 MGD.
The total extraction from these sources is 51 MGD (35 from tubewells and 16 MGD from the dams). There is a deficit of 17 MGD in the current year, and it is likely to increase to 34 MGD by 2030.
Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026
