Punjab has protested over the abrupt closure of 22000 cusecs Chashma-Jhelum link canal, saying that by closing the canal, Indus Rivers System Authority (Irsa) has jeopardised healthy growth of cotton and sugarcane sown over 1.5 million acres in Rahimyar Khan district.
Punjab Irrigation engineers told Business Recorder here on Monday that in view of low flood in river Chenab, Irsa reduced water releases from Indus river into CJ link and Taunsa -Panjnad link canals on Saturday without realising that flash flood in river Chenab at Marala in Sialkot district would reach Panjnad in Rahimyar Khan district in about eleven days where Punjab was already facing shortage of 2000 cusecs at the canal head-works.
They said by closing the CJ link canal and reducing water supply in TP-link canal by 5,000 cusecs, Irsa has delayed watering of crops in Rahimyar Khan district by about seven days though more than sufficient water is flowing in river Indus at all points. As many as 2,81,100 cusecs water is flowing in river Indus at Tarbela, 2,26,700 cusecs at Jinnah barrage, 2,43,600 cusecs at Chashma 2,08.100 cusecs at Taunsa, 1,55,200 cusecs, at Guddu 1,06,200 cusecs, at Sukkur and 40,691 cusecs at Kotri barrage.
According to Flood Warning Centre, 56,100 cusecs water is flowing in river Kabul, at Nowshera 31,700 cusecs in river Jhelum at Mangla and 77,500 cusecs in river Chenab at Marala. Meanwhile, Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Mujahid Sherdil, has said besides rivers, monsoon rains have also affected hill torrents and water channels.
Flow of water has increased in the rivers as a result of release of water by India, however, water level has started normalising in all rivers of the province, he added. He said relief camps have been set up in the flood-prone districts and staffs of PDMA and other concerned departments and district administration were also present at the camps.