Irsa anticipates over 17pc water shortage for early Kharif season

ISLAMABAD   –  Indus River System Authority (Irsa) has anticipated that in view of the dwindling inflows the water shortage for the early Kharif can go beyond 17 per cent as Tarbela dam is likely reach to its dead level within next 24 to 48 hours.

Tarbela current level is 1402.55 feet which is only two feet above the useable level of 1400 feet of the reservoir, Khalid Rana told The Nation. When asked if the dead level of Tarbela is 1392 feet, then how it could reach to the dead level in 24 or 48 hours, he replied that in the current situation, because of sediments, water can be extracted only to 1400 feet of the dam level. Early in an interaction with media persons, he said that on Wednesday the water flows in the country have further decreased and it has been felt that Tarbela dam may touch its dead level within next 24 to 48 hours. He said that the provinces have been apprised of the situation. In a letter written to the irrigation secretaries of Punjab and Sindh, Irsa has said that the total Rim Station inflows of 153,000 cfs for Wednesday were decreased by 18,800 cfs from Tuesday’s total inflows of 171,800 cfs. The temperatures at Skardu are also below normal this year which are inhibiting the flows in almost all the rivers especially in Indus. From the reasons it seems that the system may face another dip in the near future.  The letter further said that the total Rim-Station inflows are less than Irsa‘s anticipation by 18per cent, with only Jhelum flows being just above the average by 4per cent comparison with 10-year average is also gloomy and showing 2 23per cent shortfall Irsa had previously presented in the National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) on 24 May 2021 that distribution would be done at 17 per cent shortage for the balance early Kharif season. However, looking to the above dwindling inflows pattern, it seems that shortages will go beyond 17 per cent. Regarding magnitude of shortages, position will be cleared in the next 24/48 hours, the letter said. 

According to Irsa, from 1 April to 26th May, 2021 the flows in Indus were 25 per cent less against the average anticipated flow of 5.929, in Kabul the flows were 29 per cent less than the average anticipated flow of 4.323, Jhelum was 2 per cent above than the average anticipated flows of 5.189 MAF and Chenab the flows were 33 per cent less than the average anticipated flow of 3.113 MAF. On Wednesday the water flows in Indus at Besham was decreased to 64000 cusecs from 71000 cusecs on Tuesday. On Monday the flows in River Indus at Besham were 80600 cusecs. It is worth to mention here that Irsa had earlier alleged there was discrepancy of around 300000 cusecs in the water flows data between Besham and Tarbela during 1st April to 23rd April. Source totally during the period 0.609 MAF (around 300000 cusecs) of water was unaccounted for between Besham to Tarbela.

Article source: https://nation.com.pk/28-May-2021/irsa-anticipates-over-17pc-water-shortage-for-early-kharif-season