ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s three major reservoirs held a combined live water storage of 8.111 million acre-feet (MAF) on Wednesday, while water outflows from the Indus at Tarbela and the Jhelum at Mangla exceeded inflows, according to the latest river flows and reservoir levels report.
The report dated October 21, 2026, showed that Tarbela Dam held 3.775 MAF of live water storage, Mangla Dam 4.115 MAF and Chashma Barrage 0.221 MAF, highlighting the available water reserves in the country’s principal reservoirs.
At Tarbela, the Indus River inflow stood at 33,100 cusecs against an outflow of 45,000 cusecs, meaning releases exceeded incoming water by 11,900 cusecs. The reservoir’s water level was recorded at 1,516.78 feet, compared with its maximum conservation level of 1,550 feet.
At Mangla, inflows in the Jhelum River were recorded at 13,000 cusecs, while outflows stood at 16,000 cusecs, representing a difference of 3,000 cusecs. The reservoir’s present level was 1,198.05 feet against a maximum conservation level of 1,242 feet.
Chashma recorded an inflow of 67,300 cusecs and an outflow of 45,000 cusecs, while its reservoir level stood at 647.20 feet against a maximum conservation level of 649 feet. Its live storage was reported at 0.221 MAF.
The combined live storage of Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma stood at 8.111 MAF, with Mangla accounting for the largest share at 4.115 MAF, followed by Tarbela at 3.775 MAF and Chashma at 0.221 MAF.
The report also showed varying flow conditions across the country’s major rivers. The Kabul River at Nowshera recorded inflows and outflows of 12,700 cusecs each, while flows at Khairabad Bridge stood at 34,900 cusecs on both the inflow and outflow sides.
At Marala, the Chenab River inflow was recorded at 11,500 cusecs against an outflow of 5,700 cusecs, indicating that incoming flows exceeded outgoing flows by 5,800 cusecs.
Water flows at the major barrages also varied. Jinnah Barrage recorded inflows of 71,600 cusecs and outflows of 65,400 cusecs, while Taunsa Barrage registered inflows of 56,100 cusecs against outflows of 55,600 cusecs.
At Guddu Barrage, inflows stood at 51,800 cusecs and outflows at 45,700 cusecs. Sukkur Barrage recorded inflows of 44,000 cusecs against outflows of 14,700 cusecs, while Kotri Barrage received 16,400 cusecs, with no outflow reported.
Further upstream, Trimmu Barrage recorded inflows of 14,500 cusecs and outflows of 5,300 cusecs, while Panjnad Barrage received 9,600 cusecs, with no outflow reported.
The report listed the minimum operating levels of Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma at 1,402 feet, 1,050 feet and 638.15 feet, respectively. Their recorded levels remained above these minimum operating thresholds.
According to the report, inflows and outflows for the Indus at Tarbela, Jinnah and Chashma, the Kabul at Nowshera and the Jhelum at Mangla represent mean flows over 24 hours. The remaining flows were measured at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
The figures provide a snapshot of water availability and river movement across the country’s principal water infrastructure. However, the report alone does not establish whether the available storage is sufficient for seasonal agricultural, domestic or hydropower requirements, which would also depend on demand, future inflows and operating decisions.