Sindh seeks water relief for 15 days to ensure maturity of crops

Punjab seeks filling of Tarbela Dam for water availability in Rabi season

ISLAMABAD: Sindh has asked for water availability at its canal heads as per para-2 of the water apportionment accord with ad hoc relief of additional water provision of 15,000-20,000 cusecs per day for 10 to 15 days to ensure maturity of its standing crops.

The low riparian federating unit came up with the demand in the Advisory Council’s meeting held here on Tuesday. Irrigation secretaries of the four provinces and members of Irsa (Indus River System Authority) and Wapda representative attended the meeting, top officials, who were part of the meeting told The News.

Irsa convened the crucial meeting on the demand of the Sindh province. In a letter to thefederal secretary, Sindh had informed the federal government that the standing crops in the province are in jeopardy because of massive slashing down of its water share by Indus River System Authority (Irsa) seeking the meeting of Advisory Council as soon as possible. The low riparian federating unit in the letter had raised the issue of provision of less water from its share informing the government that its standing crops are in red zone by virtue of less availability of water and if the appalling situation is not addressed then it will trigger to food insecurity.

Sindh government had demanded the compensation against the 40 percent losses in the reach between Chashma to Kotri. However in the meeting of Advisory Council, Sindh has softened its stance asking for the water availability at canal head under para-2 of the water accord, but with ad hoc relief of 15000-20,000 cusecs per day for 10-15 days. The recent rain spell that was showered in all parts has forced the provinces to soften demands of water as the downpour has reduced the water shortage that has emerged for 4-5 days ago.

When asked about the stance of Balochistan which earlier got irritated over drastic cut of 40 percent in its water share by Sindh, the official said in the meeting it was informed the Sindh has increased the water flows destined to reach Balochistan from 1700 cusecs to 2200 cusecs per day and in the days to come the flows will improve. 

The official said Balochistan was also contended because of recent rain spell that reduced the water demand to some extent. Keeping in view more rains in the country, the strategy of filling of Tarbela Dam also figured in.

In the meeting, Punjab demanded Irsa to try hard to fill the Tarbela Dam as more rains are expected. Dam’s filling is must to ensure water availability in the Rabi season beginning from October 31. Punjab, according to the official, further said Wapda being operator of the dams should follow the SOPs and the directions of Irsa which is the water regulator. All the participants asked Wapda to follows the SOPs in letter and spirit with regard to filling the Tarbela Dam. However, differences over filling of dam between Wapda and Irsa could not be resolved. All the participants however grilled the Wapda and asked it to toe the line of Irsa as per SOPs.

To a question, the Irsa official said Sindh will be provided compensation against 20 percent losses not 40 percent losses as were earlier demanded by the province. He said Advisory Council meeting has endorsed the decision of meeting held on August 22 under which both Punjab and Sindh will be compensated against 20 percent water losses each.

The water availability crisis has stemmed from failure of Wapda in filling the dam this time and this will be second time in the history that Tarbela will be not filled as earlier in 2004, it could not be filled. 

This time it could have been filled but Wapda failed to do so even in the presence of repeated requests by Irsa to fill the dam by 1-4 feet per day. Earlier, Irsa had slashed down on August 22 water shares of Sindh by 27 percent and Punjab by 14 percent because of ‘inability’ of Wapda to conserve water for irrigation purposes despite availability of sufficient water.

After the August 22 meeting, the statement issued by Irsa Chairman Rao Irshad Ali Khan had clearly displayed serious concerns over Tarbela filling situation holding Wapda responsible for not taking timely action on its request.

An Irsa official said the water regulator had requested Wapda through a letter on July 28 to take advantage of substantial river flows and conserve higher quantities of water. Irsa had pointed out that monsoon rains are bumpy and unpredictable and, therefore, storage should be built until August 20 at a higher scale instead of one foot every day.

The official said Wapda remained unmoved about conserving water at the rate of one foot per day, saying it could not go beyond that. Now, Irsa will provide water from Chashma to Sindh under para-2 of the water accord keeping in view 20 percent water loss. The same will be applied for Punjab. Sindh and Balochistan will be provided water from Tarbela whereas Punjab will get water from Mangla Dam. From Tarbela water releases stand at 132,000 cusecs per day and from Mangla Dam 50,000 cusecs. Sindh is getting 131,000 cusecs and Punjab 1,18,000 cusecs.