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| 22 November 2004 | Monday | 09 Shawwal 1425 |
Irsa likely to cut Sindh share
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21: The Indus River System Authority (Irsa) meets here on Monday to review the overall water situation and is likely to cut Sindh's share for the remaining Rabi season, Dawn has learnt.
The meeting, which will be presided over by Irsa chairman Aman Gul Khattak, will be attended by all members of Irsa, provincial irrigation secretaries and Wapda's chief engineer (hydrology and water management).
Sources said water withdrawals by Sindh till Nov 20 had become a cause of concern for Irsa because the province had utilized more than its approved share for the season. The Sindh irrigation authorities have also demanded release of 45,000 cusecs of water for the next 10 days, although the allocated share for the period is 35,000 cusecs.
Sources in Irsa said the meeting had been convened to persuade Sindh to reduce its indent for the next 10 days instead of forcing Irsa to impose a unilateral cut in its share to avoid an acute water shortage in the remaining period of the current season.
The sources said Sindh had been drawing more water than its share since the start of the Rabi season. On the other hand, Punjab has so far not utilized its allocated share due to late wheat sowing in the province.
The sources said a total of 45 per cent shortage had been witnessed since the start of the Rabi season last month but the deficiency could increase if Sindh was allowed to draw water more than its share.
At present, the water level at Tarbela is around 1,440 feet against its dead level of 1,369 feet. The river inflow at Tarbela is about 27,000 cusecs per day as against its outflow of about 60,000 cusecs.
Similarly, the water level at the Mangla Dam is about 1,135 feet as against its dead level of 1,040 feet. River inflow is about 7,000 cusecs as against its outflow of 30,000 cusecs.
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