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Tarbela
canals closed
By Our Staff Reporter
LAHORE, March 11: The Irrigation and Power Department on
Monday closed down some of the Punjab canals and reduced
supplies to others in view of the depletion of Tarbela
storage.
Although it had refused to close down the Taunsa-Pajnad Link
Canal on Wednesday last on the instruction of the Indus River
System Authority, it stopped water supplies to the Thal,
Muzaffargrah and Lower Bari Daoab Canals as water flow from
Tarbela Dam dropped to a mere 2,000 cusecs. It also reduced
supplies to the Dera Ghazi Khan Canal.
The provincial authorities also stopped use of the Upper
Jhelum, the Upper Chenab and Haveli Canals for irrigation
purposes. The canals, however, will be used for transferring
water. A spokesman for the department said these canals would
now be operated when supplies are needed for the cotton crop.
Wheat crop in southern Punjab - the area largely dependent on
supplies from Tarbela command and where the crop is sown early
- received its last watering on Sunday. Rains have improved
the chances of a good crop.
The areas receiving water from Mangla Dam will continue
getting canal water for a few more days. Supplies from Mangla,
too, will be reduced progressively. According to the
historical filling pattern, water flow into the Mangla lake
starts increasing by March 20. If the reservoir is filled up
to 80 per cent by June 20, the chances of filling to capacity
are considered bright.
The irrigation authorities don't want to take any chances with
its filling by releasing water after March 20. The Punjab is
currently drawing 20,000 cusecs from Mangla dam.
On President Gen Pervez Musharraf's order, 0.6 Million acre
feet was released last April from Mangla Dam. Since the dam
was not filled, the release was seen to have contributed to
the crisis this year.
March 11, 2002
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Pakissan.com;
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