By Ijaz Kakakhel

The government has intensified efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s water security and river-monitoring systems amid growing concerns over upstream developments by India following its unilateral move to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.

According to an official document available with Wealth Pakistan, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is maintaining continuous real-time monitoring of river flows, reservoir levels, rainfall patterns, and transboundary water inflows entering Pakistan from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) through an expanded hydrometeorological and telemetry network.

The system enables authorities to closely monitor upstream activities and supports evidence-based operational decisions related to water management, flood control, and irrigation supplies. Reservoir operations at Tarbela, Mangla, and Chashma are being managed in line with directives issued by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) and according to approved operational rules aimed at ensuring optimal water regulation and flood mitigation.

According to the document, the government has also enhanced coordination among key institutions, including WAPDA, the Federal Flood Commission, the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters, provincial irrigation departments, and the Pakistan Meteorological Department. These agencies regularly exchange hydrological and meteorological data to improve flood forecasting, risk assessment, and contingency planning.

Established flood early warning systems are also being used to quickly communicate anticipated high flows and emergency releases to downstream authorities, improving preparedness and emergency response capacity across vulnerable regions.

The document reveals that among Pakistan’s rivers, the Chenab is considered the most vulnerable to upstream manipulation because of India’s hydropower and storage projects in IIOJK. In response, WAPDA has planned a series of new water storage projects to enhance Pakistan’s capacity to regulate flows in the river.

The proposed Chiniot Dam Project, designed with a storage capacity of one million-acre feet (MAF), is currently undergoing approval of its PC-I document. In addition, WAPDA is planning three more storage facilities at Wazirabad, Midh Ranjha, and Shah Jiwana. Collectively, the four proposed reservoirs are expected to provide around 4.5 MAF of storage capacity, enabling more effective regulation of Chenab River flows and helping offset potential upstream interventions.

To address the country’s broader water and energy requirements, WAPDA is simultaneously executing several mega projects across the Indus Basin. The strategically significant Diamer-Bhasha Dam on the Indus River will add 6.4 MAF of live storage capacity and serve as a long-term support reservoir for the ageing Tarbela Dam.

The Dasu Hydropower Project is also being developed to harness the river’s hydropower potential, while the Mohmand Dam on the Swat River, with 0.676 MAF live storage, is expected to strengthen flood protection and food security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, WAPDA has additionally identified the Dudhnial Multipurpose Project on the Neelum River. The project is planned with a storage capacity of one MAF and an electricity-generation potential of 960 megawatts.

Credit: INP-WealthPk