The Khanpur Dam, an essential reservoir that provides water to the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, is currently experiencing a significant decrease in water levels, which could result in merely 35 days’ worth of supply should the dry conditions persist. The dam’s current level has fallen to 1,935 feet above sea level—just 25 feet above its dead storage threshold of 1,910 feet.
At present, the dam is receiving just 82 cusecs of water daily, while releasing 235 cusecs to meet existing commitments. This includes 90 cusecs supplied to Islamabad’s Capital Development Authority (CDA), around 6 cusecs to smaller users like the University of Engineering and Technology in Taxila, 48 cusecs to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s irrigation system, and 42 cusecs to Punjab.
In light of the dwindling water supply, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has rolled out a water conservation strategy. This includes stricter action against illegal water connections, penalizing bill defaulters, and curbing non-essential water use. A rationing schedule is also set to begin mid-May as Rawalpindi continues to face a daily shortfall of 20 million gallons, with demand at 50 million gallons and supply stuck at around 30 million.
If weather conditions don’t improve within the next two weeks, authorities warn they may be forced to suspend irrigation water for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and reduce drinking water supplies to the twin cities to preserve what remains.
