DADU, Sept 9: The Sindh irrigation secretary, Ashfaq Memon, has directed officials of the department to release 200 to 250 cusecs sweet water from the Rice Canal into the Manchhar Lake through the Main Nara Valley Drain within 15 days.

He was talking to irrigation officials and fishermen at the Manchhar Lake embankment near the Bubak village on Thursday. Mr Memon said water level in Manchhar would be maintained at 112 feet in the next year to meet water shortage.

Urging fishermen not to migrate from the lake area, he assured them that they would be provided with facilities. He said the irrigation department was also considering to release water into the Manchhar Lake from the Aral Wah and the Danistar Canal.

Referring to a complaint about flow of saline water into Manchhar, he said this problem would be solved after completion of of the Right Bank Outfall Drain. He said saline water would then be released into the drain and sweet water would be stored in Manchhar.

About decline in the number of fish species in the lake, he said he was in touch with the fisheries department in this regard. Referring to repair of doors of Manchhar outlets, Mr Memon directed the officials to submit a report within a week so that the remaining work could be completed soon.

He advised the fishermen and local people to contact the DCO, who was the chairman of the committee responsible for resolving their problems. The irrigation secretary also held a meeting with the chief engineer, Sukkur Barrage, executive engineer, southern irrigation division, and the EDO, works and services, and discussed the situation of the lake.

The executive engineer told Mr Memon that water level in the lake was 108.15 feet against its capacity of 112 feet. Later, the secretary visited the Aral Wah and the Danistar Canal.