The water level is rising sharply in River Jhelum triggering fears of flooding as the Mangla Dam is about to be filled to its capacity. As per the official sources, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has sent a letter to the Jhelum administration, alerting them about the situation. “Preemptive safety measures are needed to cope with the current emergency situation,” the text of the letter reads. The outflow of water from Mangla Dam into the Jhelum River is currently recorded at 51,000 cusecs, while the inflow in the reservoir stands at 41,000 cusecs.

The water level in Mangla Dam has reached 1,123 feet, a little below the dead level of 1,242 feet, the Wapda sources have confirmed. In response to the risk of flooding, all the departments concerned have been put on high alert, a spokesperson for the district administration said. People living in the Bela near the Jhelum River have also been alerted about the situation, he added. He also appealed to the people to avoid bathing and taking their animals to the river.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP