Islamabad, Rawalpindi to face 10-day supply disruption

ISLAMABAD: Residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are bracing themselves for a severe water shortage as the supply from Khanpur Dam is set to be disrupted for ten days.

In a notification issued by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), it was mentioned that desilting work at Khanpur Dam would be carried out from February 10 to 19, resulting in a drastic reduction in water supply.

Consequently, the water supply for Islamabad will only be 550 million gallons per day (MGD) while Rawalpindi will meet with 13 MGD. Both cities’ residents will face injustice due to water shortages.

Water shortage in Islamabad will face the repetition of many scars existing in the D-12, G-10, G-11, F-10, F-11, and G-9 areas. In Rawalpindi, Pirwadhai, Khayaban-i-Sir Syed, Dhoke Matkaal, Shamsabad, Iqbal Town, Muslim Town, Sadiqabad, Dhok Hassu, Fauji Colony, and part of Satellite Town are slated to face shortages.

The cantonment areas will be additionally affected by this decision. To help the city deal with this desert, the CDA already called for residents to conserve water in advance and put it to use judiciously during the period span.

Water supply through bowsers will be ensured; however, this will be grossly inadequate to meet the needs of all consumers. The residents are therefore requested to not waste water during this very period of shutdown. After dredging/desilting work is completed on February 19, supply will be restored.

Maintenance is urgently needed to clear the sediment build-up in the dam to ensure an improved water supply. This interruption may be an inconvenience in the short term; however, in the long run, desilting enhances the reliability and sustainability of the dam.