Pindi likely to face water crisis due to dry weather

Rawalpindi: There is very likelihood of a water crisis in Rawalpindi in coming couple of months if the dry weather persists with no rains in winter.

According to reliable sources, water in Khanpur Dam has touched dead level and the problem of water scarcity is getting worse with each passing day in several localities in cantonment areas of Rawalpindi and Chaklala. If there is no rain during winter then there is great possibility, the situation of water could become very alarming in next couple of months particularly in summer with the increase in demand of water supply. Similarly, not only level of water in Khanpur Dam has fallen but the depth of underground water has also gone down considerably up to 500 feet level or more over the years only because of dry weather and shortfall of rains. Because of this reason functioning of tube wells, second major source of water supply has become futile in certain localities.

The sources said there was great need to build small dams in Rawalpindi and other parts of Punjab to prevent water crisis. Ironically the concerned authorities in the federal and Punjab governments in the past never paid heed towards this matter.

The sources further said that over the years due to continuous dry weather and small number of rains, and insufficient water in dams compared to demand the civic bodies of cantonments as well as Rawalpindi city curtailed period of water supply to its consumers from regular basis to alternative days. As the level of water in Khanpur Dam is falling each day, there is great fear the situation of water would worsen. In these circumstances, the civic bodies are adopting a strategy to further enhance the days of supplying water to its consumers after every second or third day in the coming months if no rains occur in winter.

Secretary of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB), Qaisar Mahmood did not refute to the information provided by the sources saying that due to continuous dry weather with no rains, water level in Khanpur has fallen to the lowest level thus creating problem of water shortage in certain localities.

Qaisar Mahmood said against share of 15 million gallon water per day, RCB is getting 5 mgds per day through Khanpur. The provision of share from Khanpur Dam to RCB is expected to be curtailed further from 5 mgds to 2.5 mgds in the coming months. He said there are also chances of curtailing further the period of provision of water supply from one day break to 2 or more days. All depends upon the situation. Anyhow all would be done through a strategy if alarming situation occur. Similarly, Head of Water Department, RCB, Ali Abbas Kazmi while commenting told that water situation in Khanpur is zero as it has touched dead level. RCB has a stock of water for another 45 days left to supply through Khanpur.

Both these RCB high officials advised public not to waste water by watering the lawns, plants or washing floors besides keeping the taps open. Instead the people should start storing water in their underground tanks. Further leakages of water in pipes and taps of their houses be repaired to prevent water wastage, they said.