Encouraged by an improvement in water levels due to rains and melting of snow, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has increased the share of provinces in water resources by 16 per cent, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.
Quoting its sources, the channel reported that the IRSA had increased the supply of water to Sindh to 45,000 cusecs; to Punjab to 64,800 cusecs; to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to 1,900 cusecs, and to Balochistan to 500 cusecs.
Sources informed that the Authority’s Advisory Committee would meet next month to review the water situation.
Interestingly, last month, following reports that Tarbela and Mangla were likely to reach their dead levels in a few days, the IRSA, while warning Punjab and Sindh of an acute water shortage, had urged both the provinces to take precautionary measures.
In an official communication to provincial irrigation departments, regarding water regulation for balance period of Rabi season (Oct to Mar) 2024-25, IRSA said that depletion to dead levels is a common occurrence but could lead to water supply disruptions in Punjab and Sindh, which have already experienced shortfalls.
Notably, the IRSA’s Advisory Committee (IAC) had approved an anticipated water shortage of 16 percent for Punjab and Sindh during the Rabi season 2024-25.