ISLAMABAD, Dec 28: The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has started preservation of water outflow keeping in view the beginning of canals' closure season, starting from Jan 6.

The decision was taken in order to control water wastage in the canals during season and to preserve the water, according to official sources. "In case of some good rains, which are expected, the IRSA will further reduce the water release," the IRSA chairman Aman Gul Khattak said on Tuesday.

Commenting on present water situation he told APP that in spite of water shortage, the Authority was releasing water according to requirements. The chairman expressed the hope that better water management and expected rains would help to overcome water shortage for the season.

He said the water level at both Terbela and Mangla dam was likely to increase in coming days due to expected rainfalls. Mr Khattak said: "If more rains occur in the upper catchment areas of dams, the water level of both dams will improve."

Meanwhile, the water level at Tarbela on Tuesday touched the level of 1,406.05 feet, which is 37 feet higher than the dead level of 1369 feet. The present water level at the dam is still 144 feet lower than the total capacity of the dam which is 1550 feet.

Water inflow at the dam remained 16,700 cusecs while release was recorded at 8,000 cusecs. The water level at Mangla dam recorded on Tuesday was at 1,074 feet, which is 34 feet above the dead level of 1,040 feet. Water inflow at the dam remained 6,506 cusecs while the outflow recorded on Tuesday was at 5,302 cusecs. The total capacity of the dam is 1,202 feet.