LAHORE, June 18: Water level at Tarbela increased by 11 feet in two days due to rain which also brought down the mercury providing a respite to people from scorching summer and loadshedding.

Wapda chairman Tariq Hamid told this agency here on Monday that as a result of rain, increase in water level at reservoirs and more generation than demand, no loadshedding was carried out in the country on Sunday except routine technical repair and maintenance of the transmission and distribution system.

Member (power) Fazal Ahmad Khan said the duration of loadshedding had also been reduced due to rains, and there might be a little bit loadshedding in the evening up to 500MW. He said the situation could further be eased subject to more rain and overall increase in the water level of reservoirs.

Member (water) Mushtaq Ahmad said two-day rains added 50,000 cusecs more water in reservoirs compared to the corresponding period of the last year. Last year the total flow of water from all sources in the country was 314,000 cusecs, while this year it was 364,000 cusecs.

He said on June 15, the water level at Tarbela was increased by six feet followed by another five feet the next day which improved the flow of water that resulted in more power generation.

He said at Mangla, during the same period under review, the flow of water was 41,200 cusecs which increased the next day to 50,721 cusecs with a six-inch increase in reservoirs’ water level. He said before rain, its level was receding gradually. — APP