Punjab, Sindh close down canal network temporarily

Punjab and Sindh provinces have closed network of their sprawling irrigation canals for a month to carryout annual desalinating and maintenance asthere are low requirements of irrigation water for winter crops in the month of January.According to 8th January report of WAPDA about rivers flows and reservoir levels the Indus River System Authority, (IRSA) is releasing only 8,000 cusecs water off Tarbela dam on the river Indus and 5,000 cusecs downstream the Mangla dam on the river Jhelum that has reduced hydel power generation to less than 1,000 MW from the maximum of 6500 MW during the monsoon season from July to September.The report said that Punjab Irrigation department has closed its water outlets at Jinnah Barrage, Chashma barrage, and Taunsa barrage on the mighty Indus.Of the 11,600 cusecs running water in the river Jhelum, IRSA is retaining 6,600 cusecs water in theMangla dam and discharging 5,000 cusecs water downstream in the river for purpose of hydel power generation.Canals emanating from Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad and Punjnad on the Chenab River have also been closed for a month.According to the water report, the Sindh Irrigation department is also not withdrawing any quantity of water from the Sukkur and Kotri barrages on themighty Indus and throwing the unutilised 3,500 cusecs water into the Indus delta.Meanwhile the Meteorological department has forecast mainly cold and dry weather in most parts of the country today.Foggy condition is likely to prevail over plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh during morning hours.During 48 hours, the weather would remain mainly cold and dry in most parts of the country.Foggy condition is likely to prevail over plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh during morning hours.News SourceNews Collated byPAKISSAN.comCourtesy Business Recorder