HARIPUR, Feb 16: Water level in Khanpur Dam rose to 1,979 feet, necessitating release of surplus water, official sources told Dawn here on Wednesday.

People in the downstream areas have been warned about the water release from the reservoir, through respective union administrations and police besides announcements made over loudspeakers.

Sources at the Khanpur dam said because of continuing downpour and snowfall in dam's catchment areas in upper Hazara, the reservoir was almost full to its capacity of 1,982 feet. The reservoir level, they said, rose by 2.5 to 3 feet daily.

Wednesday's level in the reservoir, according to sources, was recorded at 1,979 feet, just three feet short of the conservation level where the authorities would technically be bound to discharge surplus water beyond this mark by opening the spillways. The total inflow was recorded as 2,200 cusecs and outflow only 115 cusecs.

TRAINING: The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) organized a two-day workshop to enhance capacity building of monitoring committees at district level here on Wednesday. The workshop was attended by heads of monitoring committees for health, education and community developmental.

NCHD resource persons highlighted various aspects of monitoring, its basics, importance, objectives and rules under the local government ordinance, monitoring through elected representatives and role and system of monitoring committees.

The participants were also imparted training on the registration process for citizen community boards, their line of action and planning and community empowerment.