LAHORE:
With the activity of the monsoon that intensifies in all Pakistan, the authorities in question have issued new warnings and have taken caution measures as the risks of flooding advance, particularly in Punjab and parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Despite the active monsoon, the water flow in the main rivers, including the Indo in Tarbela, Kalabagh, Chashma and Taunsa, remains within the normal levels, as well as the tributaries of Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej.
The Tarbela dam is currently 96% full, Mangla DAM has a capacity of 62% and, according to reports, Indian reservoirs have a capacity of 56%, according to PDMA data.
Read more: Hub dam project that will be inaugurated on August 13
The Indo River System Authority (IRSA) confirmed that the landfills of the Tarbela dam were opened at 11:30 pm Wednesday night. The launch was caused by the state almost full of the dam and the rains forecast in the collection areas throughout August.
The release of the landfill can raise the discharge of water to 240,000 CUSECs, which potentially increases the levels of downstream river. According to PDMA, the 2025 monsoon season has resulted in 164 deaths, 582 injuries, damage to 216 homes and the loss of 121 cattle animals.
Also read: Chinese experience to combine the development of the dam
The flood forecast division has reported a low level flood in the Guddu and Sukkur pumps in the Indo River, although the river remains within its channel limits in other important control points.
The Department of Meteorology also warned about potential land landslides in the northern areas, including Swat KP districts, Shangla, Mansehra, Kohistan and Abbottabad, as well as Murree, Galiyat, GB and AJK.
The increase in water levels in seasonal currents and Nullah could interrupt traffic and raise safety risks, especially in mountainous areas.
