Massive dip in water flows again hits country

ISLAMABAD: The massive dip in the country’s water system has again appeared as water flows that peaked to 456,000 cusecs per day on June 13 have gone down by 44 per cent to 257,000 cusecs and in the Indus river alone, the water flows have drastically tumbled by over 57 per cent from 225,000 cusecs in June 13 to just 97,800 as of today because of the low temperature in catchment areas of the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab Rivers for the last 5-6 days.

The dip in water flows hit the country in late May 2021 before and the Tarbela Dam reached the dead level on May 28. And if the current dip continues till June 29-30, the water shortage would escalate up to 30-35 per cent, sources in the Punjab Irrigation Department told The News. They said Punjab has been conveyed that IRDSA is going to close down, maybe after 2 days, the Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal which has intake of 10,000 cusecs per day from the Indus River because of huge drop in water flows and it will be provided water from the Mangla Dam. From the Mangla Dam, the outflows will be increased from 25,000 cusecs per day to 40,000 cusecs.

The Indus River System Authority spokesman confirmed the dip, saying the decline in water flows in late June at Indus is unprecedented in the country's water history. This has never happened before. He said the temperature climbed down from 32 degree centigrade to 22 degree centigrade in the last 5-6 days in Skardu which is a catchment area of the Indus River which is why the water flows have tumbled.

To a question, he said right now no shortage is being extended to provinces as their indents are being met from reservoirs. Sindh is right now getting 143,000 cusecs water per day, whereas Punjab is having an intake of 107,000 cusecs per day. Balochistan is getting 14,000 cusecs per day and KP 3,100 cusecs per day for CRBC (Chashma Right Bank Canal).

Sources in the water resources ministry said if the dip in water flows continues, the situation will get worsened in terms of water availability and hydropower generation would also be adversely impacted. However, to a question, an IRSA member said whenever water flows at Indus get improved up to satisfaction of the authority, the Chashma Link Canal would be operational to cater to water needs of Punjab and till then Punjab will be provided required water from the Mangla reservoir.

According to water data, in Tarbela Dam, the stored water stands at 1.351 million acre feet (MAF) and in the Mangla Dam, stored water is 1.921 MAF. In Mangla, water inflows stand at 48,000 cusecs per day and outflows 25,000 cusecs per day. In Chenab at Marala, water flows stand at 34,600 cusecs.

When asked if the IRSA will be able to top up reservoirs, he said the water regulator may succeed in filling up the Tarbela Dam but chances are bleak to fill the Mangla reservoir for Rabi crops.