HYDERABAD, May 17: The chief engineer of the Kotri Barrage, Mr Manzoor Ahmed Shaikh, has said that the quality of water of the Indus River at Kotri is within permissible limits in all respects. He rejected reports that people in Latifabad were suffering from any throat ailment because of the quality of water supplied from the barrage.

Talking to newsmen at his office on Tuesday, he said May 17 tests from the HDA laboratory and the Dr M.A. Kazi Institute of Chemistry and Public Health Engineering showed that readings of TDS (total dissolved salts) and conductivity were within permissible limits.

Mr Shaikh claimed water quality of the river was in fact improving as per analysis by independent agencies like the Dr M.A. Kazi institute.

He said the Manchhar Lake level had receded by six inches in the past seven days and at present water level stood at 108.55RL.

He said the discharge of the lake water through Aral Wah was 850 cusecs whereas discharge at the Sukkur Barrage was recorded at 30,000 cusecs on Monday.

He said the discharge at the Guddu Barrage was increasing and all out efforts were being made to ensure the ratio of 1:30 as recommended by the Dr M.A. Kazi Institute of Chemistry.

He said the irrigation department was very much concerned about the water supply to Hyderabad city and it would remain vigilant till the Manchhar Lake’s level reach at 105RL.

He said the discharge from the lake would be strictly in accordance with the discharge of water from Sukkur downstream.

He said 2,000 cusecs of water could be released from the lake if 60,000 cusecs of water was discharged from the Sukkur Barrage.

Mr Shaikh said outflow of 60,000 cusecs at the Sukkur Barrage was possible if there was early monsoon.

Our Correspondent from Dadu adds:An official of the Dadu southern irrigation division has said 850 cusecs of water of the Manchhar Lake was released into the River Indus through the Aral Wah on Tuesday.

The official, Gulfam Ahmad, told journalists that the water level of Manchhar was 108.55RL. He said 8 inches of water was flowing in the Nai Gaaj and 34,029 cusecs of water was released downstream Sukkur Barrage on Tuesday. He said about 30,000 cusecs of water was available in the Indus near Sehwan.

According to Mehar Khan Mallah, Maula Bux Mallah and Hote Khan Mallah, fishermen of the Manchhar Lake, water of the Nai Gaaj was fit for human consumption. They said the water was sufficient for drinking and cultivation purposes at zero point.