The Indus River System Authority (Irsa) reduced downstream Tarbela dam discharge from 1,40,000 cusecs to 1,11,000 cusecs on Saturday for Kharif crops despite Punjab's opposition. Irrigation engineers say that there would be 35 to 40 percent less water available for sowing of wheat and other Rabi crops in October - November 2008 due to historic low flows in the rivers.
Official sources told Business Recorder that Irsa had requested Sindh and Punjab provinces to reduce their water indents by 10,000 cusecs each in view of the current water crisis. However Punjab government refused to reduce its share saying that three major Kharif crops, cotton, rice and sugarcane are at a critical stage of their growth and any cut in water would ruin the government's hardwork.
Irrigation Engineers said Punjab needs 35 million acre ft for its summer Kharif crops whereas it got only 30 MAF water this year. Punjab's requirements for rabi crops are 20 MAF. Director General agriculture services extension Punjab Dr Anjum Ali said that cotton has been sown on 5.7 million acres, rice 4.7 million acres and sugarcane on 1.65 million acres.
Condition of the crops is good and if there is not shortage of irrigation water, the government would achieve its production targets, he added. Meanwhile sudden and unusual drop in temperature in the northern areas had further reduced water inflows by 4,000 in rivers Indus and Kabul on Saturday. The water inflow in Tarbela dam on river Indus was 58,000, in Mangla dam on river Jhelum, 18,000, in river Chenab at Marala 22,000 and in river Kabul 12,000 cusecs at Nowshera.
Irsa released additional 65,000 cusecs water from Tarbela and Mangla reservoirs to meet irrigation requirements of the provinces. It may be added that the country received 86 MAF water from 1st April to 13th September out of which 7 MAF water flowed into the sea.
Comments
Comments are closed.