ISLAMABAD: The authorities anticipated better water availability after a long time during kharif season that began on April 1, however inter-provincial disagreement over distribution principles remained unresolved.

At a meeting of the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) advisory committee, presided over by Irsa Chairman Sher Zaman Khan on Tuesday, federal and provincial authorities worked out total water flows at rim stations at 108.67 million acre feet (MAF) are 23 per cent higher when compared to 88.04MAF last year. The inflows at rim stations are also estimated to be higher when compared to the 10-year average of 106.88MAF.

After accounting for expected conveyance losses, the total water availability for irrigation is anticipated at 80MAF, more than 30pc higher than last year’s 61.37MAF. The total water availability would also be slightly higher than 10-year average of 79.29MAF.

The meeting discussed and approved anticipated water availability criteria for ensuing kharif season 2019 (April-Sept) and other related agenda items.

The meeting was attended by all Irsa members, chief engineering adviser, representatives of Wapda members (water and power) as well as officials of provincial irrigation and agriculture departments.

The committee discussed in detail the likely water availability for kharif 2019. It noted that all relevant agencies are anticipating better water situation for the current season compared to previous one due to better hydro-meteorological scenario forecast by the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

Based on the forecast, the committee anticipates a shortfall of 14pc in early kharif and 6pc shortfall in later season while mid-term season (July-August) would see no shortage at all. The meeting decided that indicated shortage would be equally shared between Punjab and Sindh, whereas Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) would remain exempted from shortages as per existing arrangements.

As such, Punjab is expected to receive water quantity of 33.11MAF during kharif season compared to 29.19MAF of last year and slightly better than 10-year average of 33.02MAF.

Sindh is anticipated to get 30.17MAF compared to 27.75MAF of same period last year and much better than 10-year average of 28.32MAF.

KP would get about 820,000 acre feet compared to 990,000 acre feet of same period last year and even worse than 91,000 acre feet of 10 year average.

Balochistan is expected to receive 2.81MAF compared to 1.69MAF of last year and significantly better than 10-year average of 1.76MAF.

Sindh demanded that since better water availability is anticipated, distribution among the provinces should be made as per para-2 of the Water Apportionment Accord 1991, while Punjab argued that the present 3-tier arrangements by Irsa were very much within the ambit of the accord.

The Irsa chairman noted that the issue is pending with the Office of the Attorney General for Pakistan for recommendation. The outcome is awaited which is ultimately to be discussed and decided by the Council of Common Interests.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2019