March 04, 2008	Tuesday	Safar 25, 1429

SUKKUR, March 3: Contin-uous decline in water discharge at Sukkur Barrage may result in 50 per cent shortage during coming 72 hours, which at present stands at 48 per cent, sources in irrigation department fear.

The sources said that as of Monday water flow upstream Guddu Barrage was recorded 23,500 cusec and downstream 20,700 cusec, while upstream Sukkur Barrage was recorded 19,700 and downstream 3,500 and Kotri Barrage upstream was 2,100 cusec and no water was being released downstream.

They said that at present the pond level at Tarbela dam stood at 1381.58 feet and would drop to the dead level of 1,369 feet after discharge of two feet water daily for six days.

Water inflows in the dam from mountains and glacier were 24,000 cusec, while outflow stood at 35,000 cusec daily and once the dam reached dead level the outflow would be curtailed from 35,000 cusec to 24,000 cusec, resulting in further shortage of water at barrages, the sources said.

They said that if it rained in catchments areas or snow started melting then the situation would become better.