The water level in Mangla Dam, the country’s largest reservoir in terms of storage, is rising rapidly and has increased by almost a foot a day in recent days after frequent rains in its catchment area. According to Water and Power Development Authority daily reports, the water level stood at 1,199.35 feet on August 3 and reached 1,212.80 feet by 6pm on Tuesday. The level is now about 29 feet short of the dam’s maximum conservation level of 1,242 feet.

According to Water and Power Development Authority daily reports, the water level stood at 1,199.35 feet on August 3 and reached 1,212.80 feet by 6pm on Tuesday. The level is now about 29 feet short of the dam’s maximum conservation level of 1,242 feet.

A water expert said that if rainfall continues in the catchment area, Mangla may reach its full storage level within the next 30 days.

Tarbela Dam, the country’s second-largest reservoir, has already reached its maximum conservation level of 1,550 feet and is still maintaining that level. Chashma Lake has also reached its full storage capacity.

Officials said the filling of the reservoirs is a positive sign for irrigation and low-cost hydel power generation.

Mangla Dam, completed in 1967, remains a major source of irrigation, flood control and clean power generation. Its live storage capacity fell over time due to sedimentation, but the Mangla Dam Raising Project restored and increased that capacity.

Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting Division has warned of low-level flooding in some rivers over the next 48 hours, along with the risk of flash flooding in hill torrents and urban flooding in major Punjab cities.

On the Indus River, Sukkur Barrage is expected to enter low flood level, while Kalabagh, Chashma, Taunsa and Guddu barrages are likely to remain at low flood level. On the Chenab, Head Marala and Khanki may also reach low flood level, while Shahdara, Sidhnai and Balloki on the Ravi are also expected to do the same.

The division said Mangla on the Jhelum River could also reach low flood level in the next 48 hours. It warned of possible flash flooding in streams adjoining the Kabul River and in hill torrents of the Dera Ghazi Khan division.

Urban flooding is also likely in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Gujrat during the same period.

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