Jhelum River dries up as power supply from Mangla Dam remains suspended

Pakistan is facing a severe water crisis as the country’s reservoirs reach critically low levels. The Mangla Dam has dropped to its “dead level,” leading to the suspension of hydroelectric power generation, while the Jhelum River has dried up entirely due to a lack of monsoon rainfall.

The Jhelum River, which depends on rain and glacier melt, has been reduced to a barren expanse, with officials confirming that Mangla Dam’s water shortage has halted the production of 1,050 megawatts of electricity.

An Executive Engineer from the Jhelum Irrigation Department revealed that, following IRSA’s guidelines, water releases from the dam have been stopped due to insufficient rainfall.

Adding to the dire situation, a spokesperson from WAPDA confirmed that Mangla Dam has now reached its minimum operating level.

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Meanwhile, Tarbela Dam is just two feet above its dead level, and Chashma Barrage is only one foot higher, further compounding the crisis.

The lack of water has forced the cessation of power production at Mangla Dam, highlighting the urgent need for effective water management strategies in the face of worsening drought conditions.