HYDERABAD, June 30: It is for the first time during the current summer season that water level upstream Kotri Barrage has exceeded 80,000 cusecs as a result over 40,000 cusecs of water has been released downstream Kotri on Monday.

This was claimed by an irrigation official posted at the control room of the Kotri Barrage.

He said that water level upstream Kotri was recorded at 81,000 cusecs and 44,000 cusecs of water was released downstream Kotri.

Besides, he said, 17,900 cusecs of water was released into the New Phuleli Canal, 9,600 cusecs into the Pinyari Canal, 2,784 cusecs into the Akram Wah and 6,850 cusecs into the Kalri Bagar Feeder which also supplied water to Karachi.

He said that water was flowing in the off-taking canals of the barrage to their full capacity.

However, apprehensions are being expressed by the area farmers that the New Phuleli Canal might develop breaches if proper care was not taken by the irrigation department.