Tarbela Dam attains maximum storage level

Tarbela Dam, Pakistan's second-largest reservoir, has achieved its maximum storage level of 1,550 feet, marking a significant increase in the nation's water conservation capabilities. This milestone was reached on Sunday, reflecting the impact of the current high-flow season, which is being sustained by consistent rainfall and snowmelt in the region.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department's flood forecasting division, the water level at Tarbela Dam reached 1,549.48 feet by Sunday evening, up from 1,549 feet earlier that day. The dam's live storage capacity currently stands at 5.523 Million-Acre Feet (MAF), well above its minimum operating level of 1,402 feet. For comparison, in previous years, Tarbela Dam reached its maximum filling level later in August.

Water levels are also rising rapidly in other major reservoirs. Mangla Dam's conservation level has reached 1,206.45 feet, just 35.50 feet shy of its full capacity of 1,242 feet, with a live storage of 4.621 MAF. Chashma Lake is also nearing its maximum conservation level of 649 feet, currently at 648.50 feet.

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Tarbela Dam, the country’s second largest reservoir after Mangla Dam, reached its maximum storage level of 1,550-feet on Sunday, reflecting a significant increase in the country’s water conservation capacity.

Despite these high storage levels, the flood forecasting division anticipates no significant increase in inflows at major river gauging stations over the next 24 hours. However, low-level flood conditions are expected to persist at several barrages along the Indus River. Authorities have issued warnings for potential urban flooding in cities including Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Okara, and Lahore due to prevailing weather conditions.

The forecast also predicts a fresh spell of rain starting August 10 in Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and upper Punjab. This new weather system could lead to increased water levels in streams and nullahs feeding into the key river systems, prompting advisories for authorities to remain vigilant in vulnerable areas.

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Sources attribute the filling of the Tarbela Dam to the ongoing high-flow season due to rains and snow melting.