Punjab Irrigation Department has issued the regulation plan of the canals during Rabi season 2006-07. The final approval of the plan was given by Punjab Irrigation Water Regulation Advisory Board in a meeting, which was chaired by Provincial Minister for Irrigation, Chaudhry Aamir Sultan Cheema here on Wednesday.
It is worth mentioning that this plan has been evolved due to the 14 percent expected shortage of water share allotted for the Punjab by IRSA during Rabi season.
To optimise the available water and to maximise wheat sowing during Rabi season, the strategy for water distribution in the Punjab canal has been prepared in consultation with the agriculture department. According to plan, all non-perennial channels in cotton zone (Treble command) would be closed on October 11 and all perennial channels in cotton zone would be closed from October 16-25. The flow period non-perennial channel in rice zone (Mangia Command) was, however, extended up to October 20 and all Perennial and non-Perennial channels in rice zone would be closed from October 21 to 31 to absorb the expected shortfall in Punjab share.
In order to boost wheat sowing in cotton zone, non-Perennial channels would be given 15 days watering from 1st - 15th November. It was also proposed to provide maximum water in all Punjab canals both in cotton and rice zones during the months of November/December and also provide at least two full watering in all perennial canals from February 10to March 20, 2007. The operation of Punjab canals during March 21 to 31, 2007 was subject to improvement in river supplies due to winter rains.
Earlier, the Advisory Board reviewed water availability situation during Kharif 2006 and forecast of water availability during Rabi 2006-07, in a briefing by consultant Irrigation Department, M. H. Siddiqui the Advisory Board was informed that Kharif 2006 started with empty reservoirs and extremely low flows in the rivers. It caused heavy shortages during the months of April to mid May, touching a figure of 36 percent which delayed the sowing of cotton and rice crops.
After mid May temperatures rose and river supplies improved. Punjab canals were raised to full capacities to maximise cotton/rice sowing. There was, however, a brief dip in the river flows in the second fortnight of June.
The rains started in early July, which improved the river flows and all Punjab canals were operated to meet the maximum requirements. The Kharif season ended on September 30, 2006 with Punjab utilising 34.92 MAF against its average system uses (Historic Uses) of 34.65 MAF.