Sedimentation Decreases Reservoir Capacity at Mangla Dam

- Storage capacity of Mangla Dam reservoir is gradually decreasing because of sedimentation, threatening land and water resources in the Indus plain - one of the largest irrigation systems in the world. Investigations carried out by different organisations before the filling of Mangla Dam revealed that reservoir, with a storage capacity of 7.3 billion cubic meters is expected to receive annual sediment of 51.8 million cubic meters. The dam's reservoir is likely to be silted up in approximately 100 to 110 years. The siltation has cut into its storage capacity. Apart from threat to the dam, the sedimentation will also raise riverbeds and canals, which can cause flooding...