LAHORE, March 11: The Irrigation and Power Department on Monday closed down some of the Punjab canals and reduced supplies to others in view of the depletion of Tarbela storage.

Although it had refused to close down the Taunsa-Pajnad Link Canal on Wednesday last on the instruction of the Indus River System Authority, it stopped water supplies to the Thal, Muzaffargrah and Lower Bari Daoab Canals as water flow from Tarbela Dam dropped to a mere 2,000 cusecs. It also reduced supplies to the Dera Ghazi Khan Canal.

The provincial authorities also stopped use of the Upper Jhelum, the Upper Chenab and Haveli Canals for irrigation purposes. The canals, however, will be used for transferring water.

A spokesman for the department said these canals would now be operated when supplies are needed for the cotton crop.

Wheat crop in southern Punjab — the area largely dependent on supplies from Tarbela command and where the crop is sown early — received its last watering on Sunday. Rains have improved the chances of a good crop.

The areas receiving water from Mangla Dam will continue getting canal water for a few more days. Supplies from Mangla, too, will be reduced progressively. According to the historical filling pattern, water flow into the Mangla lake starts increasing by March 20. If the reservoir is filled up to 80 per cent by June 20, the chances of filling to capacity are considered bright.

The irrigation authorities don’t want to take any chances with its filling by releasing water after March 20. The Punjab is currently drawing 20,000 cusecs from Mangla dam.

On President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s order, 0.6 Million acre feet was released last April from Mangla Dam. Since the dam was not filled, the release was seen to have contributed to the crisis this year.