Water woes: ‘Kotri receiving half of its water supply’

HYDERABAD:

The Kotri Barrage and canals linked to it were receiving only half of the water they were supposed to get according to the Indus River System Authority Accord of 1991.

Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA) spokesman Hizbullah Mangrio said on Monday that the barrage should be receiving an inflow of 34,200 cusecs water, but it was actually getting 17,630 cusecs. The New Fuleli Canal was experiencing a shortfall of 49 per cent, as it was receiving 6,765 cusecs of water, instead of 13,330 cusecs.

The Line Channel was experiencing a shortage of 41 per cent, as its water discharge reading stood at 2,050 cusecs, instead of 3,460 cusecs.

Mangrio was afraid that crops would suffer, as SIDA could not ensure water supply to farmers.

SIDA was already implementing water rotation in all areas under its jurisdiction. However, Mangrio was hopeful that the situation would improve over the next 10 days.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2012.