The country is facing an extremely serious water crisis due to climate change posing serious threat to Kharif crops following more than 162 per cent reduction in inflows from Northern Areas despite higher temperature than last year. The current unexpected water crisis poses not only a threat to Kharif crops but also accounts for a reduction in hydel generation causing load shedding across the country.
The government is already facing severe financial constraints to clear the liabilities of power sector which are now hovering around Rs 600 billion including around Rs 250 billion of PSO. The total defined and undefined circular debt is now Rs 1.1 trillion.
The total hydel generation dropped to 1050 Megawatt (MW) due to a cut in water releases from dams against installed capacity of 7000 MW. At present, Tarbela is generating 325 MW and Mangla 200 MW.
According to Irsa spokesperson, keeping in view shortages in the system Indus River System Authority (Irsa) on Sunday decided to close downstream water releases from Chashma for Punjab with immediate effect. Taunsa Panjnad (TP) Link Canal will be closed from April 4.
The shortages to Punjab and Sindh have increased to 60 per cent at rim station. The IRSA Advisory committee which met on March 29 had projected 31 per cent water shortages in early Kharif during sowing season causing serious threat to Kharif crops due to higher losses and less inflows into rivers. Punjab and Sindh would face 31 per cent water shortage whereas Balochistan and KPK have been exempted from water shortage during Kharif crops.
Kharif season lasts from April 1 to November 30, and rice, sugarcane, cotton and maize are some of the key crops. However, against projection of 31 per cent water shortage for early kharif, the shortages reached an alarming level of 60 per cent which was a serious threat to sowing of Kharif crops. The farmers would be depending on ground water due to less water releases from dams. During the meeting, Pakistan Metrological department and Wapda representatives had also reveed during the meeting that snow was about 50 per cent less in catchments.
Irsa also decided to cut the water share of Punjab and Sindh due to low water inflows from rivers. The water share of Punjab was reduced to 26,000 cusecs from 29,000 cusecs. The water share of Sindh was also reduced to 17,000 cusecs from 20,000 cusecs.
Still running with discharge of 2000 cusecs IRSA will decide about CJ on Monday (today), spokesperson said adding that temperatures at Skardu touched 20 degrees but flows are not increasing which is an alarming situation However situation will clear in next 48 hours, he said The spokesperson further said that water shortage would also definitely have a negative impact on Hydel generation as Tarbela and Mangla are still on dead level.
Last year water inflows were 123,000 cusecs and today only 44,400 cusecs. Last year Skardu temperature was 16.7 degree and discharge was 27,600 cusecs. Today temperature is 20.6 degree but discharge is 17,000 cusecs, Khalid Rana said.
The water available for Rabi crops from October 1, 2017 to March 29, 2018 was also less for crops. Total water shortage had been anticipated at 33 per cent during Rabi corps. The total water availability was estimated at 36.17 MAF but it was estimated at 24.06 MAF during the Rabbi crops. Punjab was estimated to face 35 per cent, Sindh 34 per cent, KPK 26 per cent and Baluchistan 7 per cent shortage during the entire Rabbi season.