Cumulative water storage in major reservoirs; Tarbela, Mangla, and Chashma has been recorded 11.506-million-acre feet (MAF) on Thursday, which is 2% higher than the five-years average of 11.267 MAF.
According to press release, in August of 2024, Tarbela Reservoir reached its maximum conservation level of 1,550 feet, a level that has been sustained to this day.
Similarly, the water level in Chashma Reservoir also stands at 648.50 feet, close to its maximum conservation level of 649 feet. While, Mangla Reservoir filled to 1,217.90 feet on Thursday, slightly above the five-year average of 1,217.45 feet, with a storage of 5.455 MAF, slightly more than the five-year average of 5.423 MAF. This situation at Mangla shows the seasonal flows of the Jhelum.
Due to decreased irrigation demand brought on by the country’s predicted rains in the southern areas and better flows in the Indus and Kabul rivers, Mangla Reservoir level is anticipated to continue to improve.
Mangla is expected to reach 1,222 feet if the current trends of inflows into the Jhelum River and releases from the reservoir last through September 10. There is still room for improvement, though, as it will depend on the Chenab River’s hydrological response and the amount of rainfall in the Mangla Dam’s catchment area.
