Water for Rabi season

It is feared that nearly 15 percent shortage in actual surface availability of water may occur in the upcoming Rabi season. This means that about 5.46 million acres feet of less water will be available for irrigation purposes during the said period. This water deficit is huge.

It merits a mention that Rabi season begins from October 1 and its crops – including food staple wheat, gram, lentil, tobacco, barley and mustard – are harvested in April-May. The country’s agricultural output is closely linked with the availability of irrigation water. Dams provide twin benefits, water storage capacity and generation of cheaper hydro-electricity. Both are critical for growth of agriculture and industry. Therefore, there is a dire need to figure out a way to construct dams on major rivers.

Khan Faraz

Hayatabad

Peshawar