Pakistan's major dams reach 72% capacity amid monsoon rains

Pakistan’s main water reservoirs have risen to about 9.466 million acre‑feet, roughly 72 % of the country’s total storage capacity of 13.149 million acre‑feet, following recent monsoon rainfall. The Tarbela Dam is close to full, holding about 91 % of its capacity, while the Chashma Barrage also sits above 90 %. In contrast, Mangla Dam remains at roughly 57 % due to lower rainfall in its catchment area.

The increased inflows are supporting the Kharif cropping season, with water releases allocated to Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Higher reservoir levels are expected to boost hydro‑electric generation, easing pressure on the national power grid. Authorities continue to monitor rainfall and river flows to manage irrigation needs and flood risks through the remainder of the monsoon period.