SUKKUR, April 23: Sindh is facing over 45 per cent water shortage at its three barrages, which may adversely affect the Kharif crops, including cotton, sugarcane, rice, corn and others.

Informed sources said the situation could worsen as 45 per cent shortage of water was recorded at the Sukkur Barrage while its off-taking canals were running short by 55 per cent.

When contacted, irrigation sources said that overall 32 per cent shortage was prevailing at the Sukkur Barrage, which could increase in the coming fortnight. At present, three off-taking canals of the Sukkur Barrage, North Western canal, Rice canal and Dadu canal, were closed. Their closure is an annual feature. The canals will be reopened in the first week of May.

He said that more water was needed in Nara and Rohri canals to cultivate cotton, rice and sugarcane crops.

He said the three off-taking canals of the Guddu Barrage, Ghotki, Begari and Pat Feeder canals were also closed. They also will reopen in the first week of May.

Sources said that on Sunday evening, upstream at the Sukkur Barrage remained 22,500 cusecs, while downstream was 3,150 cusecs; at the Guddu Barrage upstream and downstream was 28,800 cusecs, and at the Kotri Barrage upstream remained 2,800 cusecs. However, no water was being released downstream, they said.

He said that due to water shortage, the Chesma Jhelum link canal and Taunsa Panj Nand link canals were also kept closed.

Sources said the Sindh irrigation minister on Friday held a meeting in Karachi regarding water shortage and in this connection, the chief engineer of Sukkur Barrage had written to all executive engineers to prepare a water rotation programme on weekly basis, keeping in view 44 per cent water shortage.

It is expected that situation could become better after May 15, due to the ice melting and rainfall in catchments areas.

PROTEST: Hundreds of residents of New Pind and Microwave colonies here staged a sit-in at Qureshi Goth chowk on Saturday against unannounced load-shedding.

Led by Syed Imran Ali, Nayyar Sultana and others, protesters were raising slogans against Hesco officials.

Talking to newsmen, they said that with the advent of summer, Hesco of Sukkur had started 8-10 hour load-shedding, adding to the miseries of people.

They demanded end to the unannounced load-shedding and appealed to the federal minister for water and power, Wapda chairman, Hesco Hyderabad chief executive and other high officials to take notice of the situation and help provide them relief.