The cumulative water storage in Pakistan’s major reservoirs, Tarbela, Mangla, and Chashma has reached 11.506 million acre-feet (MAF), surpassing the five-year average of 11.267 MAF by 2%, according to data recorded on Thursday.
Tarbela Reservoir has maintained its maximum conservation level of 1,550 feet since August 19, 2024. Similarly, Chashma Reservoir’s water level stands at 648.50 feet, just below its maximum capacity of 649 feet. Mangla Reservoir also reported a slight increase, with its level reaching 1,217.90 feet, slightly above the five-year average of 1,217.45 feet, holding 5.455 MAF, just above its average of 5.423 MAF. This increase reflects the seasonal inflows from the Jhelum River.
The water level at Mangla Reservoir is expected to improve further due to reduced irrigation demands and forecasts of rainfall in the southern regions of Pakistan, along with increased flows in the Indus and Kabul rivers.
If current trends of inflows from the Jhelum River and outflows from the reservoir persist until September 10, Mangla is likely to reach a level of 1,222 feet. Further improvements may occur depending on rainfall in the Mangla Dam catchment area and the hydrological response of the Chenab River.
