ISLAMABAD, Feb 9: Punjab and Sindh on Saturday agreed to have a new water distribution formula to be worked out within the ambit of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord.

An Indus River System Authority meeting discussed the provincial views on devising a formula for sharing the water shortage between Punjab and Sindh.

“A detailed deliberation on the issue resulted into a proximity of thaw in the wedged stands of Punjab and Sindh on working on a mechanism of sharing shortages that ends up in an equitable distribution. All were, however, of the view that whatever formula is arrived at, (it) must remain within the ambit of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord,” said an official statement.

A proposal was presented by the member of Irsa, NWFP, which materialized into some positive outcome after a lengthy discussion. Members were of the view that the suggested formula, however, needed deliberations.

The meeting agreed to discuss all the proposals with respective provinces. It was decided that after due consultations with the provinces the members would meet again at the end of this month to arrive at an acceptable formula for sharing water shortages between Punjab and Sindh.

Owing to the lingering drought, water situation has taken a turn for the worst and experts fear that provinces during the wheat maturity period of February and March will have to bear shortage from 60 per cent to 80pc.

The overall shortage, which had earlier been projected at 51pc, was expected to increase to 54pc since the country has received meagre rain in the current winter, a source said.

Irsa over the last four months of Rabi has been distributing on the projected shortage of 51pc, which, much to the worry of wheat growers, is likely to be increased to 54pc.

Water level at both major reservoirs was also decreasing. The level at Tarbela till Thursday was around 1,410 feet against the dead level of 1,369 feet. The level was dropping sharply and would not last till the end of February, a source said.