The regular water supply to the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad from the Khanpur Dam will face a temporary shortage this month.
The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi has issued a temporary water shortage alert across the city due to essential administrative and technical work, including the annual cleaning, repair and maintenance of Khanpur Dam.
According to WASA officials, the city’s water supply will be reduced by up to 60 per cent until February 10.
From February 5 to February 15, water supply from Khanpur Dam to Rawalpindi has been curtailed from 19 million gallons per day to 6 million gallons per day.
The water supply to Islamabad will also remain affected during the same period.
To mitigate the impact of the reduced supply, WASA has made alternative arrangements and is making every possible effort to provide additional water to affected areas through tube wells and water bowsers.
Managing Director WASA Rawalpindi has appealed to citizens to use water sparingly and responsibly during this period to help manage the temporary shortage.
It is worth mentioning here that Khanpur Dam is situated on the Haro River near Khanpur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, approximately 50 kilometres from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.
The dam creates Khanpur Lake, a reservoir that supplies drinking water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as well as irrigation water to surrounding agricultural and industrial areas.
Construction of the dam was completed in 1983 after 15 years, at a total cost of ₨1,385.1 million. The structure stands 51 meters (167 feet) high and has a water storage capacity of 79,980 acre-feet.
Khanpur Dam serves not only as a vital water resource but also as a popular recreational destination. Visitors are drawn to the area for activities such as boating, fishing, and picnicking, making it a favoured spot for both residents and tourists from across the country.
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