Dams and reservoirs have sufficient water reserve to meet the requirement of irrigation for Rabbi crops, especially, no shortage would be observed for wheat crop till its harvest in the middle of April in the province. Consultant to Punjab Irrigation, MH Siddiqui, told Business Recorder here on Tuesday.
He further said that wide-spread rains in late January and early February have greatly helped overcome the water shortage which was up to 45 per cent in October 2008. Indus River System Authority (Irsa) has increased water discharges from Mangla dam from 35,000 cusecs to 44,000 cusecs and also has increased discharges into Punjab canals from 8,000 cusecs to 10,000 cusecs to irrigate the winter crops, he informed.
In addition, he said Punjab is presently receiving about 65,000 cusecs water (from Indus, 10,000 cusecs, Jhelum 44 cusecs, Chenab 11,000 cusecs) to irrigate crops over 20 million acres of land, including wheat over 17 million acres to produce 20 million tonnes of wheat this season.
Meanwhile, Punjab Irrigation and Power Department (PIPD) is implementing a number of major development projects, including rehabilitation and up gradation of irrigation system, modernisation of barrages and lining of channels.
Official sources said that Lower Bari Doab Canal Project worth of $900 million had been planned to rehabilitate and improve irrigation supply to Okara, Kasur, Sahiwal and Khanewal districts and other projects, including Sulemanki Barrage, rehabilitation and upgradation of Thal Canal Distribution System, Sidhnai Canal Improvement Project, rehabilitation of Trimmu Barrage and rehabilitation of Punjnad Headworks also in hand, which are likely to be completed in 11 years.