ISLAMABAD – Citing 17 per cent decrease in water supply to Punjab and Sindh for the Rabi crop, the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) Advisory Committee on Tuesday rejected Balochistan’s demand for extra share.
Balochistan raised the demand for extra water share, which was opposed by Punjab and Sindh. These two provinces cater to the county’s food and industrial demands.
Since the county has fallen short of water, providing extra share to Balochistan was out of question and this may increase agricultural loss to two the provinces, it was observed. However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was exempted from water shortage formula.
According to the committee, 16.35MAF will be supplied to Punjab, 12.34MAF to Sindh, 1.02MAF to Balochistan and 0.70MAF to KP. The availability of water stands at 32.2 MAF and losses at 1.75 MAF.
Earlier, Irsa forecast 19 per cent water shortage. The Met Office forecast lesser water supply. The dams could not touch the highest level in August due to lesser monsoon rains.
The sources said that the situation will be better only if new dams are constructed in the country and the government should step up its effort for addressing the problem that could result in food insecurity.