Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Indus River System Authority has rung the alarm bells on Thursday as the water crisis in Pakistan is entering into a dangerous phase. Irsa in its statement warned that the shortfall of water in the country was becoming acute as water scarcity had reached in the region between 25% to 30%. Irsa has intimated the provinces regarding the water deficit.
It said this time around Punjab and Sindh were facing 18% water scarcity. The situation on glaciers due to low temperatures can pose a serious threat. The water regulatory authority has cautioned the provinces to make sagacious use of water till the situation becomes normal. The outflow from Tarbela and Mangla dams was more than the inflow in the dams.
Irsa also informed that Sindh’s water supply had been increased by 8,000 cusecs from Mangla Dam. Irsa said the next 48 hours are very critical — if the low temperatures in catchment areas keep the same pattern, then we would be in trouble. The National Assembly’s standing committee on the water is scheduled to meet this week to address complaints of Sindh about water shortage in the lower riparian province.
Irsa said a dip was experienced in river Indus from 27th April o 5th May and during the period both Tarbela and Chashma touched dead levels. After 6th May, the water situation is continuously improving.
On Sunday, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari criticized the government for unfair apportionment of water in the country saying that the government has shown extreme kind of atrocity by not releasing Sindh’s water even on Eid.
The PPP chairman said the PTI government which is responsible for creating the water crisis in Sindh would be responsible for the consequences. He was of the view that the water supply to Karachi had extremely reduced due to the stoppage of Sindh water apportionment.
Bilawal said the wicked policy of the government was causing water scarcity in Thatta, Badin, Sajawal and Tharparkar. He alleged that IRSAby misusing its power had reduced Sindh’s water share by 15% to 20%..
