HYDERABAD, Jan 11: Discharge of 400 cusec of water from Manchhar Lake into Indus has recently been resumed, following release of water from Sukkur barrage which is undergoing annual closure for maintenance and repair.

According to Hyderabad district government’s water technologist, Dr. Mohammad Ahsan Siddiqui, 400 cusec of water is being released from Sunday into the River Indus which has received 14,200 cusec of water Sukkur downstream. “14,200 cusec of water was released three days back which reached Sehwan — the point where Manchhar Lake’s water is mixed in the Indus after its release through Aral Wah regulator”, said Siddiqui.

He, however, said that discharge of water from the lake would again be stopped when there is no discharge at Sukkur downstream because the gates of the barrage have been completely raised to allow flow of water at downstream Sukkur to ensure maintenance of the barrage.

“Since there will be no more water flowing downstream we will have to stop lake water’s discharge again”, he said. He added that until Sunday, only 200 cusec of water was released from the lake whose level is recorded at 113.65 RL.

A provincial water release committee had approved discharge of lake’s water into River Indus in its December 18 meeting in the light of Dr Siddiqui’s recommended ratio of 1:23 after level of lake’s water increased alarmingly, posing threats to its embankments and to those living in the lake’s vicinity.