LAHORE: The canal system in Punjab is facing up to 75pc water shortage as the province was supplied 53,100 cusecs of water against its needs of 127,800 cusecs on Thursday.

The data shared by the Punjab Irrigation Department reveals that Taunsa Barrage was supplied 6,700 cusecs, 73pc less than its requirement of 25,000 cusecs while Thal Canal was facing 75pc scarcity as 2,000 cusecs of water was released into it against the need of 8,000 cusecs.

The Panjnad Barrage was running with 66pc shortage, receiving 4,300 cusecs against the requirement of 12,700 cusecs, Rasul Barrage was suffering 59pc water stress with a supply of 9,900 cusecs against the need of 24,200 cusecs.

Both Sulemanki Barrage and Lower Bahawal Canal were facing 54pc shortage each, Sidhnai Barrage 51pc, Islam Barrage 50pc and Trimmu Barrage 43pc water scarcity. There was a 33pc water shortage in the Mailsi canal.

The Indus River System Authority (Irsa) reported an eight percent improvement in the inflow of water, 141,141 cusecs on Thursday against 134,781 cusecs on Wednesday, at rim stations across the system.

Tarbela Dam, the largest reservoir in the country, continues to be at dead level for the last couple of weeks as the average water inflow there was 71,500 cusecs against the mean outflows of 70,700 cusecs. Mean water inflows at Mangla Dam, surviving the dead level, was reported at 25,509 cusecs against the outflows of 25,353 cusecs.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2022