30-40 % water shortage likely in early Kharif season: IRSA

APP – The technical committee of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Thursday met to finalize water availability estimates for the Kharif season to start from April 1.

The meeting was presided over by director operation IRSA Khalid Rana and attended by engineer hydrology WAPDA, Director hydrology WAPDA, director emulation Punjab, director regulation Sindh, Chief engineer Balochistan, SE hydrology Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and XEN Regulation Punjab.

It was anticipated that river inflows would remain at 95 million acre feet (MAF) as compared to last year 107 MAF. As per initial analysis, early Kharif season would face 30 to 40 per cent water shortage.

However, final figure would be given after advisory meeting of IRSA scheduled to be held on March 29, the IRSA spokesman said.

About current losses, he said 40 per cent losses were reported at Indus while it was estimated five per cent at Jhelum Chenab.

The spokesman said the Advisory meeting would also determine the provincial shares as per water availability.

He further said that met office predicted less rains in early Kharif seasons but normal rains in monsoon season.

Meanwhile Thursday released 45,500 cusecs water from various rim stations with inflow of 44,300 cusecs.

According to the data released by IRSA, water level in the Indus River at Tarbela Dam was 1386.00 feet, which was 06.00 feet higher than its dead level of 1,380 feet.

Water inflow and outflow in the dam was recorded as 17,000 cusecs each respectively. 

The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1050.00 feet, which was 10.00 feet higher than its dead level of 1,040 feet whereas the inflow and outflow of water was recorded as 12,500 cusecs and 13,700 cusecs respectively.

The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa and Sukkur was recorded as 30,200, 21,200 and 4,300 cusecs respectively.

Similarly from the Kabul River, 7,500 cusecs of water was released at Nowshera and 2,000 cusecs from the Chenab River at Marala.