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Dams' water level falls to dangerous point

AMER SIAL

ISLAMABAD: Water levels in the Mangla and Tarbela reservoirs have fallen to a dangerous stage and the country is left only with 28 days irrigable water. This fact was disclosed at a meeting of the Indus River System Authority held here on Monday.

Official sources told Business Recorder that due to the shortage of water it was decided that a cut of 22 percent in the quota of provincial shares be imposed immediately.

The meeting was told that the water would be used in such a manner to meet Rabi requirements but if the water level does not increase in Tarbela due to snow melting then problem may arise for kharif.

Sindh is getting 31,000 cusecs of water while Punjab is getting 40,000 cusecs and their share is likely to be reduced by 7000-8000 cusecs. Sindh was demanding more water than Punjab as it has received less rainfall during the winter season. But it was decided that these matters would be solved at the next meeting to be held in Lahore on March 15.

IRSA also decided to meet after every five days to formulate new schedule for water after taking into account the water situation in dams. The meeting was told that if the inflow of water to the two dams does not increase in the coming few days the country may face a drought like situation after the end of March.

The meeting was told that the present level of Tarbela is 1,363 feet. The inflow of water in the reservoir is 16,900 cusecs while outflow is 46,474 cusecs. The level of Mangla was 1,080 feet, with inflow of 14,100 cusecs and outflow of 25,000 cusecs.

Due to low rainfall in the catchment areas of Mangla during monsoons the dam was filled 1,186 feet less than its full capacity of 1,202 feet. Tarbela was full to capacity at 1,550 feet but due to less water availability the discharge of water from it was more than usual to meet requirements.

The less availability of water in the reservoirs was attributed to the La Nina phenomena, which has existed over the region for the last two years, which has resulted in low rainfalls. The experts have predicted that the country would be out of this phenomena by the first quarter this year and would receive rainfall in the coming monsoon.