Kharif crops 2020: IRSA prepares interim water criteria for Punjab, Sindh

The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has prepared shortage-free interim water availability and distribution criteria for Kharif crops 2020 in consultation with Punjab and Sindh.
According to IRSA spokesperson Rana Khalid, COVID-19 disease has been up scaled to pandemic level and as of March 23, 189 countries including Pakistan are under its grip and it is spreading rapidly. To control its rapid spread and transmission, the federal government and provincial governments have imposed near lockdown conditions and also recommended social-distancing of public sector employees and general public.
He further stated that in view of emergent situation, IRSA has decided to postpone the Technical and Advisory Committee meetings for the cropping season- Kharif 2020 (April-September), normally held in second and first half of March and April, respectively - till normalization of conditions.
In the meantime, IRSA in consultation with Punjab and Sindh has prepared an interim water availability and distribution criteria for Kharif crops 2020 based on the recommendations of IRSA technical committee received through email. The provinces have been asked to place their interim indents looking to the water availability criteria prepared by IRSA till final approval by IRSA Advisory Committee at some later date.
IRSA has asked the provinces that in addition to other means, whatsApp be used for conveying/ passing on provincial indents, operational constraints, regulation issues etc. with the IRSA's concerned officials.