Provided that monsoon rains begin next week, the water situation would become much better, say irrigation experts. - File photo

SUKKUR Water flow at Guddu and Sukkur barrages is gradually on the rise but situation at Kotri Barrage is not good as no water is being released at its downstream.

According to irrigation sources, on Tuesday water level at Guddu Barrage upstream was recorded at 11,8000 cusecs and downstream at 93,000 cusecs. At Sukkur Barrage upstream water level was recorded at 86,500 cusecs and at downstream at 32,500 cusecs. At Kotri barrage upstream water level was recorded at 37,000 cusecs but no water is being released downstream.

According to sources, an increase of 18,000 cusecs has been recorded at the upstream of Guddu Barrage during the last 48 hours and it is expected that the flow would further increase by 20,000 to 30,000 cusecs in the coming 48 hours, which would lead to increased flow at Sukkur Barrage.

Sources said that on Tuesday, pond level of Tarbela Dam was recorded at 1,398 feet, inflow at 198,000 cusecs and outflow at 13,5000 cusecs. At Mangla Dam, pond level was recorded at 1164.55 feet, inflow at 69,000 cusecs and outflow at 35000 cusecs.

Water level at upstream Chasma Barrage was recorded at 23,2000 cusecs and downstream at 19,2000 cusecs. At Taunsa Barrage, upstream level was recorded at 18,2000 cusecs and downstream at 16,2000 cusecs.

Sources said that dead level of Tarbela Dam is 1369 feet and an increase of 29 feet in its pond level had been registered for the last couple of days.

Sources said that mainly Tarbela Dam catered to water requirements of Sindh and apart from its 13,5000-cusec outflow, 76,000 cusecs of water were added to the waters of the River Indus by Kabul River.

Irrigation experts said that if monsoon rains began next week, water situation would become much better because ice was melting at Himalayan glaciers at regular pace due to increase in the mercury.