The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has reduced water discharges from Tarbela and Mangla dams to the minimum to close the irrigation canals for a month long annual de-silting and maintenance purposes of water ways across the country. According to 28th December water report of Water and Power Development Authority, IRSA is releasing 12,000 cusecs from Tarbela dam on the river Indus and 10,000 cusecs of water from Mangla dam on the river Jhelum in consultation with the provinces.
The lowering of water outpouring from dams has drastically reduced production of cheap hydel power generation from about 3,500 MW to only 1000 MW that might increase loadshedding in the country though power consumption has appreciably come down in winter.
Meanwhile the Punjab Irrigation department has announced its closure schedule of more than two dozen main irrigation canals off-taking from various barrages and head-works on the river Indus, Jhelum, Chanab and Ravi in the province. It has already closed canals emanating from Marala headwork and Qsdirabad barrage on river Chanab, Baluki on river Ravi, Rasul headwork on river Jhelum. The department will close Sulemanki on 30th December, Taunsa 31st December, Thal canal on 13th January, Sidhnai canal on 10th January, Panjnad January 3, Trimmu on January 10, and Islam headwork on January13.
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