SANGHAR, Oct 2: Director of the Nara Canal Area Water Board Ghulam Hussain Leghari here on Saturday issued directives for implementation of the Rabi Water Management Plan formulated by the Sindh government to save the standing crops and meet the needs of Rabi crops, especially wheat.

According to the plan, water will be supplied to the Jamrao, Mithrao and Thar canals and other off-taking water channels of the Nara Canal from October 1 to 15.

Water supply to fruit orchards and vegetable crops will have priority during the month of October.

Between October 16 and 31, a small quantity of water will be available in the Nara Canal system, which will be supplied for drinking purpose only.

The farmers have been advised to set up schedule of sowing Rabi crops according to availability of water. The farmers and industrialists have been further advised to store water for drinking and commercial purposes to avoid inconvenience.

The director indicated that water shortage in the system would be between 50 and 60 per cent during the Rabi season of 2004-2005 whereas it was only 14 per cent during last Rabi season and 52 per cent during the Rabi season of 2001-2002.