Daily Times

KARACHI: The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has asked the governments of Sindh and Balochistan to clear spillway of encroachments in order to avert damage to lives and property in case of heavy water flow due to monsoon rains from Hub Dam, Daily Times learnt.

About 20 percent more than average rains are expected in this monsoon season and this year’s forecast of ‘above normal rainfall’ by Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) is the substantial reason that WAPDA has asked both the provincial governments to clear spillway of encroachments.

The PMD also warned the ‘high probability of heavy downpour which could generate flash floods along Suleman Range in Balochistan. Hub Dam is situated 56 kilometres from Karachi, Lasbela districts and Balochistan border. The dam is extended to 24,300 acres with gross storage capacity of 857,000 acres feet.

The inter-provincial project, completed in June 1981, was meant to construct a storage reservoir for regulating the flows of Hub River for the purpose of municipal and industrial water supply and irrigation releases to Karachi in Sindh and Lasbela districts in Balochistan.

Hub River split between Balochistan and Sindh and lies at the boundary of two provinces. The distance between downstream spillways and sea is around 70 kilometres where water is discharged into sea. The people are often involved in agriculture farming or residential purpose at the banks of river. Hub River downstream to Hub Dam remains dry during rains scarcity days and it only runs in case of spill.

WAPDA, in separate letters, requested different department of Balochistan and Sindh including irrigation department, police and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) to make better use of rainwater by taking appropriate measures in this regard.

A WAPDA official on the basis of anonymity said, “The civil administration and police can do better in removing encroachments from both sides of the spillway through”.

“We have made vigilant call in case of abrupt rains. The areas downstream spillways to Hub Dam could be endangered if it spills. Thousands of people are living or doing business either on the banks of Hub River or inside the downstream Hub River spillways,” said the official. “We have warned the authorities concerned to get them shifted to safer places,” he said.

While terming writing of ‘routine matter’, official said that like every year, this year WAPDA also wrote letters to authorities concerned of both the governments. But the expected rains could make flood situation that authorities should take cautious approach in order to avoid any mishap.

He said after the building of Hub Dam in 1980, it faced drought conditions around five to six times and it was last filled to its optimum level in 2007.

“At present water is hitting 278 feet, however, the spill level is 339 feet and if rains occur with high intensity it can fill overnight which it did in 1994. “If water starts overflowing from the spill ways, then people would not have the time to shift. We have timely intimated them so that they can shift,” the official added. WAPDA has already deputed staff for vigilance of Hub Dam.