KARACHI, Sept 11: There might be an acute water shortage next month and wheat cultivation might also be delayed. This was stated at a meeting presided over by the Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Saturday.

During the meeting, the chief minister asked the department officials to apprise the Abadgars of the factual position about water availability so as to save them from any possible loss as there will be shortage of water from October 2004 and the growers will have to go for wheat sowing accordingly.

He told them to take full care in the supply of water in the light of prevailing situation because by October the supply of water will slump from existing 75,000 cusecs to mere 25,000 cusecs.

He directed that the damaged canal paths on both sides in the province be repaired while the irrigation department's old entry system be updated to ensure availability of right data.

Dr. Arbab asked the department officials to apprise the Abadgars of the factual position about water availability so as to save them from any possible loss.

He said that improvement in law and order situation and provision of irrigation water to growers were among top priorities of his government.

He also called for modernization of a wireless system for irrigation purposes and said that wherever electricity is not available, solar system be installed to operate wireless system.

He emphasized that a significant change can be brought about in the political and economic spheres if just distribution of irrigation water is ensured.

He told the meeting that in view of 60 per cent shortage of water in November, proper planning be carried out for rabi crop and necessary information be provided to growers.

He said that the requirement of irrigation and police departments would be met with on priority and required equipment would be purchased for both the departments.

Similarly, the requirements of health, education and other departments, too, would be fulfilled so that problems of people are solved and their needs for education and health are met with.

Dr. Arbab issued directives for large-scale plantation along the canals, branches and water courses, along with their proper care.

He asked the concerned officials of irrigation department to construct small size dams in various parts of the province to store rain water so as to save it from going waste. He said that rain water can be brought into use by raising walls around depressions in the catchment areas and in the Thar.

Earlier, the Provincial Minister, Nadir Akmal Leghari and secretary of irrigation and power department, gave detailed briefing regarding composition of the department, its problems and statistics about vacant posts.-PPI/APP