Peshawar: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa issued an alert about increased water discharge from Tarbela Dam into the River Indus, directing the district administrations of Haripur, Swabi, and Nowshera to take precautionary measures to protect communities.
According to an official notification issued on November 9, the discharge downstream of Tarbela Dam is expected to remain above approximately 150000 cusecs throughout the day and night.
The notification follows a communication from the Superintending Engineer, Survey and Hydrology, Tarbela Dam Project, informing the authorities about the anticipated water releases.
Three districts directed to take precautions
PDMA instructed the deputy commissioners of Haripur, Swabi and Nowshera to implement necessary safety arrangements over the 24 hours specified in the notification.
District administrations were advised to maintain vigilance in settlements along the Indus and at other vulnerable locations.
The advisory calls for preparations to minimise risks to residents and ensure relevant authorities are ready to respond if conditions change.
The notification was shared with the commissioners of Hazara, Mardan and Peshawar divisions, the National Disaster Management Authority, Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments.
Emergency operations remain active
According to PDMA, its emergency operations centre remains fully operational to monitor developments and coordinate responses as needed.
The authority urged residents to report emergencies or unusual incidents through its helpline, 1700.
The alert concerns anticipated water discharge rather than a confirmed flood emergency. The notification does not report flooding, damage, or evacuations in the affected districts.
Authorities are directed to maintain precautionary arrangements and monitor river conditions during the advisory period.
