MIRPURKHAS, March 11: An acute shortage of water has hit tail-end areas of Nara Canal, adversely affecting recently sown sugarcane and vegetable crops.

The irrigation authorities have decreased the supply to the canal following low water flow in River Indus at Sukkur Barrage.

The water discharge at the head of the Nara Canal was 5,500 cusecs on Monday which indicated 60 per cent shortage.

Owing to short supply of water, over 50 distributaries of the canal are lying closed in the command area under the rotation programme being implemented in the Jamrao, Mithrao and Thar division of the irrigation department.

The districts of Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Tharparkar, which are situated at the tail of the Nara Canal, have been badly affected due to shortage of water.

Over 12 reservoirs of water supply schemes are lying dry in the districts. Drinking water is supplied to the distributaries for one weak after each 15 days under the rotation programme.

The most affected areas include Mirpurkhas, Sindhri, Khipro, Umerkot, Pithoro, Samaro, Kunri, Shadi Palli, Dhoronaro, Kot Ghulam Mohammad, Sufi Faqeer, Phuladiyoon, Hingorno, Mirwah Gorchani, Jhillori, Digri, Tando Jan Mohammad, Jhuddo, Naokot and Diplo.

Farmer leader Abdul Ghafoor Maher has condemned the irrigation authorities for reducing water level in Nara canal.

He called on the government to take notice of the matter and ensure proper water supply to the distributaries.