Emergency measures have been put in place at Mangla Dam by the authorities amid a potential threat from India to release 400,000 cusecs of water.

According to the area deputy commissioner, if India releases the water, the areas surrounding the Mangla Dam could be severely affected.

Given the Indian threat, all possible precautionary measures have been taken to avoid any untoward situation, he said, adding that the public has been urged to ignore unconfirmed reports and follow official instructions.

There is also a possibility of a dangerous rise in the water level at Tarbela Dam amid the ongoing torrential rains.

The district administration has issued an emergency notification and alert, and announcements were being made through mosques to inform the public about the potential danger.

According to the Tarbela dam administration, the water level has reached a dangerous level, and a severe flood can enter the dam at any time.

According to a spokesperson, the water level at Tarbela Dam has reached 1,530 feet, while the maximum storage capacity is 1,550 feet. The inflow of water is 333,000 cusecs, while the outflow is 332,600 cusecs.

The dam administration planned to increase water discharge to 400,000 cusecs if the floodwaters entered the dam.

According to officials, all relevant departments have been put on alert and rescue agencies, local administration and Wapda officials were constantly monitoring the situation.

Instructions have also been issued to people in low-lying areas around the dam to move to safer places.

The Tarbela dam spokesperson further said that 3,500MW of electricity is currently being generated from the dam’s 17 generating units.

Due to recent rains and melting of glaciers, the flow of water in the rivers of Punjab is continuously increasing, following which the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued instructions to the administrations of the relevant districts to remain alert.

According to a PDMA spokesperson, a low-level flood has been recorded in the Indus River at Tarbela, Kalabagh, Chashma and Taunsa.

There is also low-level flooding at Khanki in the Chenab River, where the inflow of water is 340,000 cusecs and the outflow is 320,000 cusecs.

The PDMA spokesperson said that the water level in the dams on Sutlej, Beas and Ravi is rising, which is being continuously monitored.