SUKKUR, Jan 18: A decrease of 4,000 cusecs of water has been recorded at the Sukkur Barrage over the past three days. Irrigation experts have described the situation as alarming.
They said the water shortage was the worst in comparison of the previous years.
The sources claimed that the closure period, which earlier was from Jan 1 to Jan 25, could be increased most likely as some hurdles had been experienced in the repair work of the Sukkur barrage.
They said the water level at the barrage, which was 7,500 cusecs three days ago, had now decreased to 3,490 cusecs. They said after opening of the B.S. Feeder, 3,000 cusecs of water was being discharged in it.
On the other hand, the Ghotki and the Pat Feeder canals are being supplied water from the Guddu Barrage. The irrigation sources claimed that out of 23,000 cusecs water released from the Taunsa for Sindh only 17,000 cusecs water reached the Guddu Barrage, of which 12,700 cusecs water was being supplied to B.S. feeder, Ghotki and Pat Feeder canals.
As a result the water supply to the city has been affected badly. The municipal authorities have made alternative arrangements for the supply of water to the city on the eve of Eid.
POWER DUES: The Hyderabad Electric Supply Company has warned federal and provincial government departments of the Sukkur district of disconnection of their power supply if they fail to pay dues amounting to Rs147 millions up to Jan 28.
Talking to newsmen, Hesco executive engineer Hanif Meo said final notices had been issued to them on the directives of the company's chief executive officer, Syed Adeeb Rizvi. Mr Meo said 130 offices of the federal departments had to pay Rs20.375 million and 424 Sindh departments Rs127.033 million.
He said the TMA Sukkur owed Rs110.441 million, EDO health Rs9.762 million, building department Rs2.498 million, DCO office Rs0.576 million, irrigation department (SCARP) Ratodero Rs0.559 million, district naib nazim office Rs0.230 million, livestock Rs.0.098 million, Hajj and Auqaf Rs0.813 million, Pakistan Railways Rs7.977 million, highway department Rs0.394 million, Pakistan Air force Rs0.621 million, Nadra Rs0.664 million, the Evacuee Trust (Sadhu Belo) Rs4.566 million, the PTCL Rs2.302 million, education department Rs0.687 million and other departments against receivable upto ending of Dec, 2004.
He said maintenance of HT/LT lines and replacement of old conductor wires would be helpful to reduce technical losses. Mr Meo said the PTCL had paid Rs0.484 million, PAF Rs1.214 million, irrigation Rs4.201 million while the police department had made a payment of Rs8.415 million. He said despite these payment amount was still outstanding against these departments.
