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Tuesday February 18, 2025

Letter of Punjab irrigation to IRSA: Filling of Tarbela, Mangla dams in jeopardy as IRSA releases more water to Sindh

Massive withdrawal of water by Sindh and less by Punjab from Tarbela at Indus became a bone of contention between two federating units

By Our Correspondent
July 29, 2024
The Tarbela Dam in Pakistan. — WAPDA Website/File
The Tarbela Dam in Pakistan. — WAPDA Website/File

ISLAMABAD: More water releases to Sindh and less water supplies to Punjab from the Indus have put the filling of Tarbela and Mangla dams on time in jeopardy.

The massive withdrawal of water by Sindh and less by Punjab from Tarbela at Indus became the bone of contention between the two federating units.

The less provision of water from the Indus to Punjab has forced the upper riparian province to use the water more from the Mangla reservoir at Jhelum River. The water inflows in the Jhelum River are already lower than expected. This is how it has jeopardized the filling of both reservoirs on time--- August 20, 2024.

Sindh is asking for more water to meet irrigation requirements on right side of Sukkur barrage due to damages to gates 47 & 44. Presently Irsa is releasing 200,000 cusecs for Sindh against para 2 share of 126,600 cusecs, now

Punjab government raised the issue as to why Irsa is releasing more water to Sindh as it will jeopardize filling of Tarbela and Mangla reservoirs.

This issue has been flagged in the letter of the Punjab Irrigation Department written on July 23, 2024, addressed to the Irsa chairman. In the letter, Punjab says that Irsa released excess water to Sindh and did not timely support the Jhelum-Chenab (JC) zone from the Indus through link canals. When contacted Irsa spokesman says that the regulator has received the letter from the Punjab Irrigation Department but refused to share the contents of the letter.

However, the Punjab government has said in clear words that as per daily hydrological data of Irsa, it is noted that Irsa is releasing less water to Punjab in contrast to the shares availability which is against the regulation principles.

Due to this, not only present but also future productivity will be adversely affected.

More importantly, additional water releases to Sindh are jeopardizing the storage of Tarbela and putting pressure on the Mangla reservoir for Punjab,

and accordingly, Punjab’s share has been reduced by Irsa.

Punjab irrigation department in its letter also shared the 10 days’ data from July 14 to July 23 proving the fact that Irsa has given 26000 cusecs more water to Sindh (the difference between the share of Sindh and release to Sindh) which can be utilized to irrigate 6.5 million acres of land.

The Punjab government letter which is in possession of The News also discloses that the unpredictable Marala at Chenab inflow is causing up to 30% shortage of irrigation supply of Punjab canals. Due to which Kharif crops are suffering and their productivity may be affected severely.

This water crisis will devastate the agriculture sector and have far-reaching consequences for the Pakistan economy decreasing GDP growth of Pakistan.

Moreover, it is pertinent to mention here that downstream Kotri barrage 30076 cusecs (As of 23.07.2024) is disposed of into the Arabian Sea without agriculture utilization ultimately wastage of precious resources.

Due to huge releases of water below Kotri and additional flows to Sindh beyond their rightful allocation, storage of Tarbela and Mangla are being affected. This will put a lot of pressure and result in shortage for canals supply during Rabi season also.

Less storage in dams due to additional water releases to Sindh will result in reduced crop yield and decrease agricultural productivity for Rabi crops.

Punjab asked Irsa to refine regulation policies immediately ensuring transparency and fairness for equitable distribution as approved by IAC and meet the Punjab indents for Indus Zone through CJ (Chshma-Jhelum) and TP (Taunsa-Punjnad) Links to facilitate the filling of Mangla reservoir.

The letter also mentions that there are improved river flows in river Indus and Kabul while Jhelum and Chenab River flows are approximately 50% less than the previous year flows.

The reservoir elevation of Mangla is lower than the planned level.