SIDA seeks removal of IRSA member over Sindh shortfall

'45% water shortage is hurting rice cultivation, could cost Sindh $4.5b in exports'

HYDERABAD/KARACHI:

A fresh dispute over inter-provincial water distribution erupted on Thursday as the Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA) demanded the removal of an Indus River System Authority (IRSA) member from Punjab, accusing him of making unilateral decisions that have left Sindh facing a crippling 45 per cent water shortage during the crucial rice sowing season.

SIDA Chairman Qabool Muhammad Khatian alleged that IRSA, under the influence of Punjab member Amjad Saeed, had failed to ensure Sindh received its due share of water under the 1991 Water Accord, resulting in severe shortages that are already affecting rice cultivation and other seasonal crops across the province.

According to provincial irrigation authorities, water availability remains significantly below allocated levels, with shortages recorded at 43 per cent at Guddu Barrage, 44 per cent at Sukkur Barrage and 62 per cent at Kotri Barrage.

"Despite the ongoing rice cultivation season, IRSA is depriving Sindh of its rightful share of water, which is a grave injustice," Khatian said. He warned that the shortage could inflict an estimated $4.5 billion loss in export earnings by reducing agricultural production, particularly rice, one of Sindh's major cash crops.

The SIDA chairman maintained that water scarcity could not be justified by a lack of available resources, claiming that reservoirs currently contain around four million acre-feet (MAF) of stored water - higher than seasonal storage levels. "Instead of releasing water to Sindh, IRSA has adopted a flawed strategy of retaining water in the dams," he alleged.

Khatian further accused the authority of diverting water through the Chashma-Jhelum and Taunsa-Panjnad link canals to the Jhelum-Chenab region despite the fact that the flood season, during which such canals are normally operated, has not yet begun. He alleged that majority decisions were being imposed on Sindh at a time when Balochistan's seat on IRSA remained vacant and Sindh's representative was unavailable due to medical treatment.

"Sindh's share of water is being usurped, and even rainwater received by the province during April is being counted as part of its allocated share," he claimed.

Highlighting the impact on agriculture, Khatian said Kotri Barrage - currently facing the highest shortage - supplies irrigation water to a major rice-growing belt between June 1 and 15. The scarcity, he said, has already affected farmers in the command area served by the barrage.

Kotri Barrage feeds four major canals, including the KB Feeder Canal, which also supplies water to Karachi.

Khatian demanded the removal of IRSA chairman and others allegedly responsible for the current distribution policy, urging the federal to appoint 'impartial and competent' officers capable of implementing the 1991 Water Accord in its true spirit.

No immediate response from IRSA was available regarding the allegations.

Agri minister warns of crop crisis

Sindh Agriculture Minister Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar expressed serious concern over the reduction, warning that the situation has created a looming agricultural crisis and deep anxiety among farmers.

He said Sindh is currently facing a 48% water shortage, which has severely impacted the province's agriculture sector. He urged the federal govt and IRSA to immediately release Sindh's due share under the accord. He said the situation is particularly alarming in districts, including Khairpur, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Umerkot, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Mirpurkhas and Kashmore, where farmers are facing acute water shortages.