LAHORE, June 9: The Mangla Dam has started depleting in June for the first time in its history following increase in water demand for cotton sowing and unexpected dip in river flows.

Dam's filing pattern suggests that if it is not filled up to 80 per cent by June 30, chances of its filling become remote. That is why June has always been the filling month for the dam. It is for the first time since the commissioning of the dam in 1967 that the lake has started going down as outflows surpass inflows.

On Wednesday, the inflow was 41,600 cusecs and outflow 48,000 cusecs. The dam level has come down by three feet during the last one week and it is around 25 feet below the expected level.

Water experts fear that the dam may not get filled this year, which could affect wheat crop later this year. Meanwhile, the combined river inflow increased to 252,000 cusecs on Wednesday, thanks to recent rains in the Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir, providing some relief to water managers.

The Indus River System Authority (Irsa) also increased outflow from the Indus arm. It released 140,000 cusecs against an Inflow of 132,300 cusecs at Tarbela. The Kabul was flowing at 44,600 cusecs and inflow at the Jhelum at the Mangla was 41,400 cusecs as compared to outflow of 48,000. The Chenab at the Marala was 33,700 cusecs.

According to an official of the Punjab Irrigation Department, water supplies to cotton belt were being ensured through the regulation of canals. Water flow to sweet water zone was being suppressed in order to absorb recent cut of 6,000 cusecs in Punjab's share, he added.

The official said any reduction in the irrigation supplies to cotton belt at this time would mean adverse effects on the production of cotton.