May 24, 2006	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 25, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, May 23: The government on Tuesday decided to ask the National Engineering Services of Pakistan (Nespak) to carry out an independent study to determine losses and time-lag between Taunsa and Guddu Barrages and ascertain reasons for the water loss.

The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by minister for water and power Liaquat Ali Jatoi on a report submitted by the two-member fact-finding committee of the Indus River System Authority, sources said.

The meeting decided to convene another meeting of Wapda, Nespak and Siemens in a few days to sort out issues relating to making telemetry system operational for accurate data collection.

The committee reported that on the basis of comparison of past five years of water data, losses between Taunsa and Guddu during the April-May period was a normal phenomenon because of high inflows but the quantum of losses was beyond any logic.

The committee recommended that a stage discharge curve should be prepared for different barrages and canals and verified through an independent agency while discharge observation cells of Punjab and Sindh should be made more effective by posting competent and willing workers.

While reviewing the water situation and releases to provinces during the Kharif season, the meeting expressed satisfaction on the current availability of water.

The Irsa chairman informed the meeting that provincial indents in full were being met as sufficient river flows were available and enough water was being stored in reservoirs.