KARACHI, Aug 25: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has directed the Wapda chief to look into the proposal of commencing filling of the Mangla Dam in July instead of March, to meet the water requirement of Sindh during Kharif season, sources said on Monday.

The directive was given when it was pointed out to him at a high-level meeting here that difficulties were being faced by the people of Sindh when water was stored in the Mangla Dam in March for reaching a certain level in August. It was suggested that if the process was delayed, the problem could be overcome.

The president held the point valid and directed the Wapda chief to look into the possibility of filling Mangla in July and August instead of March.

President Musharraf, who launched his campaign for soliciting consensus on the need for building more water reservoirs and canals to meet country’s future requirements, emphasized the need for improving existing infrastructure for reducing wastage.

According to sources, he referred to 26 years average flow of water downstream Kotri.

He pointed out that during that period average flow was 35 maf.

President Musharraf said that as everyone agreed that 10 maf water should flow downstream into the sea, there was a need to look into the ways of saving 20 maf which was being lost for various reasons.