ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: The authorities have decided to reduce water supply from Khanpur Dam to the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad from August 31.

The decision was taken at a meeting which held at corps headquarter, Rawalpindi, on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by the officials of crops headquarter, Capital Development Authority (CDA), Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, Water and sanitation agency (Wasa) and others.

The meeting decided that water from Khanpur Dam would be supplied to the twin cities on alternate days from September 1.

It observed that water level of Khanpur Dam and Simly Dam was quite lower as compared to last year, therefore, the water rationing was imperative.

The meeting also discussed the water-theft from the dam allegedly by some feudals of the area. In this connection, the deputy commissioner, Haripur, who also attended the meeting, was directed to probe the matter.

The director of Khanpur Dam, Junaid Karim, told Dawn that the water level of the dam had increased by nine feet, but it was still insufficient.

He said the water level had reached to 1930 feet while its record level was 1982 feet. The dead level of the dam is stated to be 1910 feet.

The official said the supply from the dam had been increased from three million gallon per day (MGD) to eight MGD.

“Owing to insufficient rains, the supply from the dam will be reduced and water will be supplied to those areas of Islamabad which depend on Khanpur Dam.” However, the declared quota of water for Islamabad from the dam is 17 MGD.

Simly Dam is stated to be the main source of water supply to Islamabad while majority population in Rawalpindi city depends on Rawal Dam and Khanpur Dam.

Rawalpindi is reportedly receiving some six MGD from Khanpur Dam, out of which three MGD is being supplied to Rawalpindi Cantonment Board.

A CDA official said the authority was already supplying rationalised water from the Simly Dam on alternate days.

The water level recorded on Wednesday was 2,262.85 feet against the dam’s highest level of 2,295 feet. It’s dead level is 2,205 feet.