Print Print edition: 2017-03-22

Irsa rejects accusations of Sindh CM

Published March 22, 2017 Updated March 22, 2017 12:00am

The Indus River System Authority (Irsa) has rejected the accusations of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah regarding creation of water problems for the province and filling of Tarbela Dam at an inappropriate time. According to Irsa spokesperson, touching the deal level in Tarbela and Mangla reservoirs is a normal phenomenon. The spokesperson further explained that during 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 both reservoirs touched the dead level.
"Irsa at the start of the Rabi season in its meeting held on September 30, 2016 had informed provinces that dams would touch dead level in March 2017," the spokesperson added. Irsa had projected 15-20 percent shortage of water in Rabi 2016 commenced from October 1, 2016 which was to be shared by Punjab and Sindh.
On Tuesday, Tarbela reservoir was at 1380.56 cusecs. Inflow was recorded at 16.4 cusecs against the outflow of 15.6 cusecs. The level of Mangla dam was 1,047 cusecs, with inflow of 17.4 cusecs and outflow 18 cusecs. According to media reports, the government has convened a meeting of Irsa on Wednesday (today ) to discuss the concerns of Sindh.