HARIPUR – June 18: Water levels at Tarbela Dam have fallen to critically low levels, raising serious concerns about electricity production and irrigation amid an ongoing dry spell.
As per official data, the current water level at the dam is 1,450.85 feet — just 48 feet above the dead level of 1,402 feet. With little to no rainfall in recent weeks, the water inflow continues to decline, creating a potentially dire situation for the country’s energy and agricultural sectors.
Tarbela Dam’s maximum storage capacity is 1,550 feet, making the current level nearly 100 feet below the full reservoir mark. According to the dam’s spokesperson, if dry weather persists, the water level could drop further in the coming days.
While all 17 power generation units at the dam remain operational, limited water availability has severely curtailed electricity output. The dam is currently producing only 1,413 megawatts — a fraction of its total generation capacity of 4,888 megawatts. The water inflow stands at 177,400 cusecs, compared to an outflow of 151,800 cusecs.
Officials from the Ministry of Energy and water resource experts have expressed concern over the situation, warning that continued lack of rainfall could have wide-ranging implications for power supply and irrigation, particularly during the peak summer months.
They stressed the urgent need for improved weather conditions to replenish water levels and stabilise power generation.
