Indus River System Authority (Irsa) has increased water releases for Sindh and Punjab by 77 percent and 26.6 percent respectively from Saturday (today) due to better inflows in reservoirs, citing increase in temperature and recent rains in catchment areas. According to Irsa spokesperson Rana Khalid, Sindh will get 39,000 cusecs of water instead of 22,000 cusecs whereas Punjab will be supplied 38,000 cusecs water from its existing 30,000 cusecs.
He further stated that Balochistan will close its canals from April 1, 2017 as per their schedule/plan while Sindh will close its canals of Guddu Barrage and right side of Sukkur Barrage as per their schedule from April 1, 2017. On Friday, total outflows were 96,500 cusecs whereas on Thursday it was 56,700 cusecs. Irsa has also closed seven canals from Trimmu and Punjnad after extensive discussions with Punjab government aimed at supplying additional water to Sindh.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Sindh has levelled allegations of 7000 cusecs of water theft on Punjab between Tarbela and Chashma. These reports are yet to be verified by the water regulator.
Irsa spokesperson further stated that after detailed discussions with Punjab it finally managed to close TP (Trimmu, Punjnad) canals. By this action about 4,000-5,000 cusecs additional water will be available for Sindh in the next two days. This arrangement will continue till March 31, 2017.
No content from Business Recorder shall be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication, or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Business Recorder shall not be responsible or held liable for any error of fact, opinion or recommendation and also for any loss, financial or otherwise, resulting from business or trade or speculation conducted, or investments made, on the basis of the information posted here. Nor shall Business Recorder be held liable for any actions taken in consequence." >Copyright Business Recorder, 2017