LAHORE, April, 15: Punjab on Monday resumed full withdrawal of 37,000 cusecs, as allowed by Irsa, from the national pool — 15,000 cusecs from the Indus and 22,000 cusecs from the Mangla command.
It also hoped that the Irsa would allow the opening of Taunsa- Panjnad Link canal from Tuesday to utilize its quota. As far as supplies from the Indus arms were concerned, it was receiving 4,000 cusecs in the Thal canal, 4,000 cusecs in the Chashma-Jhelum Link canal, another 4,000 at Taunsa barrage and 3,000 cusecs at Panjnad. This was in addition to 22,000 cusecs from the Mangla command.
Sindh’s total withdrawal from the system stood at 26,000 cusecs and it was also receiving full supplies. On Monday, inflow at Guddu barrage stood at 25,200 cusecs with the same outflow. About the total availability of water during the early kharif, a spokesman for Irsa said that it was around 56.54 million acre feet according to early forecast. It would be 11.22 MAF during the early kharif —- from April 1 to June 10. Projected shortage, if measured according to 14-(b) of the ‘91 Water Accord, would stand at 43.5 per cent. With water supplies improving during the rest of the kharif season, the shortage would come down to 22.5 per cent, he said.
But if distributed according to 14-(a) of the ‘91 Water Accord, as indicated by Irsa chairman, the shortage would shoot up to 46.7 per cent during the early kharif and 28.2 per cent over the whole kharif season.
Punjab, he admitted, closed down its canals and let 1.45maf water flow to Sindh from March 15 to 31. This water reached Guddu barrage between March 25 to April 10. Total system losses during the period were around 0.21maf as 1.241maf reached Guddu barrage.
On the other hand, inflows in national rivers improved further on Monday with the Indus at Tarbela touching 26,000 cusecs and the Jhelum at Mangla 40,000 cusecs. Outflow from both the dams stood at 23,000 and 22,000, respectively. The river Chenab at Marala was flowing at 17,600 cusecs and the Kabul at Nowshera at 19,800 cusecs.
Barrages of the country also gave a bit healthy look with Jinnah barrage receiving 48,700 and releasing 44,700 cusecs. The Chashma barrage had inflow of 39,200 and outflow of 32,200 cusecs. Taunsa barrage got inflow of 34,200 and outflow of 30,200 cusecs. Guddu barrage had an inflow of 25,200 cusecs and the same outflow. The Sukkur barrage received 29,500 and released 8,600 cusecs and the Kotri barrage’s inflow stood at 5,400 cusecs with no outflow.
