LAHORE, Oct 11: The Punjab irrigation department on Wednesday issued regulation plans of the canals during the forthcoming rabi season.

The plan was approved by the Punjab Irrigation Water Regulation Advisory Board which met here with Minister Aamir Sultan Cheema in the chair.

The plan was approved due to 14 per cent expected shortage of water share allotted for Punjab by IRSA for the rabi season.

According to the plan, all non-perennial channels in cotton zone (Tarbela command) would be closed from Oct 11 and the perennial channels from Oct 16 to 25.

The flow period of non-perennial channels in rice zone (Mangla command) was, however, extended up to Oct 20. And all perennial and non-perennial channels in rice zone would be closed from Oct 21 to 31 to absorb the expected shortfall in Punjab share.

In order to boost wheat sowing in cotton zone, non-perennial channels would be given 15 days watering from November 1 to 15. It was also proposed to provide maximum water in all the canals, both in cotton and rice zones, during November and December, and to also provide at least full watering in all perennial canals from February 10 to March 2007. The operation of Punjab canals during March 21 to 31 was subject to improvement in river supplies due to winter rains.

Earlier, the board reviewed water availability situation during kharif 2006 and forecast of water availability during rabi 2006-07. Irrigation department consultant M H Siddiqui said kharif started with empty reservoirs and extremely low flows in rivers.

It caused heavy shortages during April to mid-May, touching a figure of 36 per cent which delayed the sowing of cotton and rice crops.

After mid-May temperatures increased and the river supplies improved. Punjab canals were raised to full capacities to maximize cotton and rice sowing. There was, however, a brief dip in the river flows in the second fortnight of June.

Rains started in early July, which improved the river flows, and all Punjab canals were operated to meet the maximum requirements. The kharif season ended on Sept 30 with Punjab utilizing 34.92 MAF against its average systems uses of 34.65MAF.