Tarbela Dam, Pakistan’s second-largest reservoir, reached its full conservation capacity on Monday, with total live storage exceeding 11 million acre feet (MAF), which is 15% below its maximum capacity of 13.35 MAF. The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) announced that the dam’s water level reached 1,550 feet, providing 5.766 MAF of usable water. This is a positive development for agriculture and hydropower generation.
In contrast, Mangla Dam, the largest reservoir, is about 30 feet short of its maximum storage, with a conservation level of approximately 1,214 feet. It was filled to a maximum elevation of 1,242 feet, giving Tarbela around 5.18 MAF of usable water compared to its maximum of about 7.3 MAF.
Since April 1, approximately 6.5 MAF of water has flowed into the Arabian Sea, exceeding Tarbela’s total storage. According to the 1991 water apportionment accord, the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) and WAPDA must ensure at least 8 MAF flows downstream of Kotri Barrage for environmental reasons.