THATTA, June 10: The water level in Kalri Baghar Feeder Lower and Darro Branch has dropped to an alarming level over a month, leading to a drought-like situation in almost all nine talukas of the district.

The KB Feeder Lower canal which originates from Kotri Barrage has a capacity of 7,500 cusecs but is getting only 1,400 cusecs.

As a result, water flow in the channels it feeds, including Jam Waah, Thatto Distributary, Allah Khani Minor, Ghar Missan, Ghar Machi, Halath Naali, Udero Branch and Samaki Shaakh has dropped.

The acute water shortage in Indus has not only affected standing crops of bananas, watermelon, sugarcane and vegetables on the right bank of the river but also had a serious impact on fish and shrimp production in farms in coastal talukas of Thatta, Mirpur Sakro, Keti Bunder, Kharochann and Ghorabari.

On the left bank of the river water, shortage in Darro Branch which feeds Satta Waah, Jaffra Waah and Bathoro Shaakh has caused financial losses to growers in Shah Bunder, Jati, Mirpur Bathoro and Sujawal talukas.

It has also created a shortage of drinking water. Water reservoirs in Thatta and Makli would soon be empty and people would have to buy water from tankers at exorbitant rates.

Water experts believe that the shortage will raise salinity and cause epidemics in the district.

An irrigation official admitted a shortage persisted in the system. The authorities concerned, he said, had kept intact the supply of 1,200 cusecs from Keenjhar Lake to Karachi but were reluctant to provide water to five coastal talukas of Thatta.