HYDERABAD, July 10: Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi has said that a study regarding below Kotri discharges is being conducted by foreign consultants. He said the report would be finalized by September this year, determining quantum of water to be released for the Indus delta.

Speaking at the Kotri barrage on Sunday, he said it was a matter of national importance that provinces must give their full input to solve the problem of water shortage.

MPA Dr Manzoor Leghari and irrigation and power secretary Ashfaq Memon were present on the occasion.

Mr Jatoi said the provinces had been asked to submit their comprehensive plans in order to ensure proper management of water and avoid water losses to achieve designed availability of water in different canals of the country.

The minister said non-availability of water as per designed capacity of canals was reflective of the fact that agricultural needs of water were not being met which would certainly affect agriculture sector -– the backbone of the country’s economy.

The minister said he had asked the provinces to ensure coordinated efforts between them and prepare a permanent plan to meet flood-related emergency situation and meet requirements of water in different canals.

He said mismanagement of water by the irrigation department led to water shortages and complaints by farmers.

He said there was water shortage in Badin and Thatta districts.

The minister said reports of committees on water would be evaluated before the final decision.

He called for efficient management of water in the province and proper vigilance of embankments.

Referring to encroachment along river embankments, he urged people to shift to safer places to avoid losses.

“I do not want to go to places after any kind of tragedy and for that reason we are asking people and departments to take precautionary measures”, he said.

He said the prime minister had given Rs100 million for flood relief measures and more money would be given if necessary.

He said help of districts, provincial governments and army would be sought if needed.

He lauded the efforts of President General Pervez Musharraf for ordering repair work of the Sukkur barrage otherwise it would not have withstood flood pressure.

He said “not only Thal canal but Kachhi canal will be built because these are not perennial canals and will operate in flood season to irrigate lands”.

He said the government had taken up the matter of telemetry system with Siemens.

He said India had informed Pakistan a few hours before diverting water into the Chenab river.

The chief executive of the Kotri barrage identified six vulnerable points including the HP bund Mullah Katiyar, Thatta-Sujawal bride, MS Bund 43-miles, Sanh Veer Dari bund, HS and BU bunds.

He said the proper surveillance was being carried out with proper stone pitching, apron-making and deployment of the staff.

He said these points were out of 31 points that needed proper vigilance as compared to others in the light of history.

He said the irrigation department was in a state of preparedness to meet any situation after flood water reaches the upstream Kotri barrage between July 19 and 20.

He said there would be 40 to 50 per cent losses of water from Sukkur to Kotri because of climatic conditions, absorption and long distance of around 200 miles.

He said designed capacity of the barrage was 875,000 and in 1956 around 980,000 cusecs of water had passed through it.

He said at present around 225,000 cusecs of water was expected at the upstream of Kotri.

He spoke of different schemes including remodelling of the KB feeder for assuring permanent supply of water to Karachi being executed by the IP department.

He said by 2000 the Kotri barrage had been fully refurbished and it faced no threat at the moment.

He said that revamping of the entire canal system of the barrage would continue for another three years.