Irsa okays 22pc lower water share for Rabi
ISLAMABAD: Expressing serious concern over infinite delays in the completion of key projects aggravating shortages, the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) on Tuesday approved a 22 per cent lower water share for the Rabi season (Oct 1-March 31). As a result, the water regulator allocated provincial water shares under a de facto 3-tier formula that applies water shortages only to Sindh and Punjab,…
ISLAMABAD: The Indus River System Authority (Irsa) has decided to reduce water allocation for the Rabi season by 22 percent, expressing concern over long delays in the completion of crucial projects that are worsening water shortages. This decision applies water shortages to Punjab and Sindh provinces while exempting Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The 3-tier formula used for distribution means that shortages are only imposed on these two provinces, which have been allocated water shares of 15.564MAF and 11.748MAF, respectively. The remaining water will be divided among the three provinces, with Balochistan receiving 1.171MAF and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa getting 0.71MAF. The shortage has raised concerns for food security, especially for wheat, the main crop in the Rabi season. This is the first time such a significant water shortage has been approved by Irsa.
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