Water levels in Khanpur Dam have dropped to a terrible point of only 11 feet above the dead level. Presently, the current storage threshold is only 1,910 feet. This significant drop is attributed to prolonged dry spells, sparking serious concerns about the water supply for key urban regions like Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Current inflow measures just 16 cusecs, while outflow has surged to 127 cusecs.
The growing imbalance between water input and output can’t be sustained. The reservoir declining by approximately 0.10 feet each day. According to experts and officials, the supply left for the CDA and RCB is just 25 days. Major municipal consumers, including the Capital Development Authority and Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, face mounting challenges as the situation deteriorates in the absence of substantial rainfall.
According to officials, the areas that fulfill the needs of Khanpur Dam, including Margala Hills and Galiyat, have received very low rainfall. This has made the rocky formations and dried spells significantly exposed. If the dry spell continues, the reservoir may soon reach its dead storage level.
Irrigation supply to both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was suspended over a month ago due to the diminishing water levels. Groundwater tables in nearby regions like Taxila and Wah are also fading. Furthermore, decreasing water levels have forced the boat operators to cease services, and the number of visitors to the dam has dropped significantly.