Global Rice News

Climate change has significantly impacted water availability over the past five years, leading to delays in the melting of glaciers and affecting Kharif crops. The Indus River System Authority (Irsa) has projected a water shortage of up to 30% for the Kharif crops due to high system losses. This shortage is expected to be even higher during the sowing of cotton, rice, and maize crops, with a projected drop to 7% later in the season.

The Kharif season, which lasts from April to September, is crucial for agricultural activities in Pakistan. For the 2024 season, Irsa has estimated a total water availability of 63.61 million acres feet (MAF). This water will be distributed to different provinces, with Punjab receiving 31.13 MAF, Sindh receiving 28.81 MAF, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa receiving 0.82 MAF, and Balochistan receiving 2.85 MAF.

To discuss the water availability criteria for Kharif 2024, the Irsa Advisory Committee (IAC) recently held a meeting. The committee, consisting of Irsa members, representatives from relevant departments, and others, unanimously agreed on the anticipated inflows at rim stations. It was estimated that a total of 99.41 MAF of inflows would occur, including 23.55 MAF in the early season and 75.87 MAF in the late Kharif season.

The meeting also highlighted the system losses, which were estimated at 13.67 MAF. Additionally, it acknowledged the anticipated water shortage of 30% in the early Kharif season and 7% in the late Kharif season. Despite these challenges, the meeting expressed satisfaction with the overall seasonal close during the Rabi 2023-24 season, with shortages at only 17% compared to the anticipated 15%.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted higher-than-normal temperatures for the upcoming Kharif season. Moreover, winter snowfall in the catchment areas of the Indus and Jhelum rivers has been recorded at 31% less than the normal levels. In response to these observations, Punjab and Sindh will activate discharge observation cells (DOCs) at various locations to monitor and report data.

To ensure effective management and resolution of operational constraints, a committee comprising Irsa members from Punjab and Sindh, along with chief engineers from the irrigation departments of both provinces, will be formed. This committee will physically review and monitor the sites to address operational challenges.

In conclusion, the IAC meeting emphasized the need for proactive measures to address the projected water shortage in the upcoming Kharif season. The committee members, along with relevant authorities, are committed to ensuring that all irrigation requirements are met during Kharif 2024.

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**Source:** [Tribune.com.pk](https://tribune.com.pk){:target=”_blank”}