The water inflow in mighty Indus has decreased to the lowest in five years due to drop in temperature and dry weather in the upper regions that has slowed down melting of snow and glaciers. Punjab Irrigation Engineers told Business Recorder here on Monday that water inflow in river Indus at Tarbela has come down to 88,000 cusecs, Jhelum at Mangla 22,000 cusecs, Kabul at Nowshera 26,000 cusecs and Chenab at Marala 31, 000 cusecs, total 1,67,000 cusecs.
They said that Indus River System Authority (Irsa) has started releasing 42,000 cusecs from Tarbela dam and 8,000 cusecs from Mangla reservoir other than run of the river water to meet the reduced water needs of the provinces to irrigate the three major cash crops, rice, cotton and sugarcane in the country.
Agronomists said that these three crops are at a critical stage of maturity, therefore Irsa should continue to release extra water from the reservoirs till middle of October for better per acre yield. However they apprehend that due to depletion of water reservoirs, there would be 30 to 40 percent shortage of water for sowing the most important wheat, oil seeds and other winter rabbi crops.
Power situation: On the other side Ministry of Water and Power said that due to change in weather the electricity demand has come down, presently, there is a slight gap between demand and supply hence there is no load shedding for domestic sector. It said the total electricity generation on Monday was 13,844 MW, demand 14,938, shortfall 1094 and export to KESC 610 MW.
Weather forecast: According to Meteorological Analysis seasonal low lies over north Balochistan and adjoining areas. While Sunday's depression in Bay of Bengal has tracked further north-west wards and is weakening gradually. This weather system is not likely to affect Pakistan. Islamabad, Punjab: Dry weather likely in most parts of these areas during next few days.
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