- Tarbela Dam holds almost no storage.
- Mangla Dam holds only 0.088 MAF.
- Irsa has anticipated water shortage of 30-35%.
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has said that the situation of water scarcity has been aggravated due to the growing Indus stem water losses and downstream Kotri water releases.
The Punjab Irrigation Department’s March 21 letter to the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) identified that surprisingly large losses in the Indus stem and increased downstream flows at Kotri made the situation worse, The News reported.
According to the Irrigation Department, “This has resulted in shortages that have exceeded the water deficit anticipated by the water regulator.”
To supply water to the Thal and Panjnad canals, the Punjab government has urged Irsa to open the Taunsa-Punjnad (TP) Link at Indus.
The Irrigation Department said Punjab is currently receiving no water releases from the TP Link, Muzaffargarh, or Dera Ghazi Khan canals.
The director regulation Irrigation Department argued that the water shortfall was greater than the one determined by Irsa because of actual water losses in the Indus stem and downstream Kotri water flows as of March 21.
As per the letter, the actual water losses in the Indus stem have increased by 33% to 1.60 million acre feet (MAF) from the 1.20 MAF predicted loss.
The downstream Kotri releases in the ongoing Rabi season were worked out by Irsa at 0.065 MAF. But actual releases stood at 0.47%, showing an increase in water releases by 623%.
Had the said Indus stem losses and surplus downstream Kotri flows (0.805 MAF) been avoided, the resulting water shortage would have matched or fallen below Irsa’s anticipated levels, the letter said.
That’s why Punjab wants provision of canal water to Thal and Punjnad canals through TP Link, in accordance with Indent for Integrated Water Resource Management, the letter said. The Punjab Irrigation Department asked Irsa to take immediate and decisive action to curb increased losses in Indus stem and downstream flows at Kotri.
The letter also mentioned Irsa had declared a 16% water shortage for Rabi 2024-25 season, allocating 16.680 MAF out of total 19.846 MAF for Punjab.
A comprehensive review of river losses in Indus stem, current inflow situation at the major rivers and reservoirs reveals different trends than anticipated at the time of allocation.
As of March 21, inflows at Kabul and Indus rivers are significantly above anticipation, while Mangla and Marala inflows are substantially below projected levels. Kabul and Indus River inflows are 12% and 6% above anticipation respectively. Mangla Dam and Chenab River inflows are 36% and 15% below anticipation respectively.
This difference underscores the need for prudent water management and reallocation strategies to optimise available resources and mitigate the impact of shortage on Punjab’s agricultural sector.
Tarbela Dam holds almost no storage, whereas Mangla Dam holds only 0.088 MAF, constituting only 1% of its capacity. The deviation between projected inflows and actual reservoir levels presents a serious concern regarding water availability.
Irsa has recently anticipated an overall water shortage of 30% to 35%. Punjab has utilised 20% less water than its allocated share, while Sindh has drawn 17% less than its entitlement.
