sindh emphasizes water supply from Centre for crop production
Published on: March 28, 2024.
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Sindh Irrigation Minister Urges for Uninterrupted Water Supply for Crop Production
The Sindh Irrigation Minister, Jam Khan Shoro, has requested Islamabad to ensure uninterrupted water supply to the province, emphasizing the need for no water shortage in crop production. Shoro stated that there is a discrepancy with the federation regarding water scarcity in Sindh, with the Nara and Rohri canals receiving 7,200 cusecs of water while other canals face up to a 70% shortage.
Shoro reassured that the government is implementing a rotation program to guarantee the supply of crops and drinking water. They are also developing a separate scheme to drain rainwater from the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD), Dhoro Puran Outfall Drain (DPOD), and Hakro drain. As part of the scheme, a large gate will be installed at RD 210. Shoro has requested a report from the relevant deputy commissioners for the drains and directed the DC Mirpurkhas to address encroachments in Dhoro and Puran drains.
Recently, the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) urged the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) to release water from the Tarbela Dam beyond the storage level of 1,420 feet mark. However, this initiative may jeopardize the sowing of cotton and rice crops in Sindh. The textile sector could face significant imports costing billions of dollars if cotton crop production is affected.
In a technical committee meeting, Sindh expressed concerns over Wapda’s failure to complete its tunnel projects. The provincial government stressed the need for maximum water releases from the Tarbela reservoir through low-level outlets to allow timely cultivation of cotton and rice. Sindh clarified that there is currently no water available even for drinking purposes at the Kotri Barrage, the last barrage on the Indus River.
Shoro indicated that the issue would be taken up at the advisory committee meeting on April 2. He reiterated the importance of maximum water releases as per the water accord and suggested that any water shortage should be distributed among all the provinces to prevent unmatched losses in Kharif crops’ production.
