This decision came at a time when the country especially Punjab is facing massive power shortages which account for widespread riots in different cities. The committee presided over by Irsa Chief Engineer Yasmeen Ahsan, was attended by the representatives of provincial governments, Pakistan Meteorological Department and Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).
"The technical committee has estimated 21 per cent water shortage for early Kharif season commencing from April 1 and will conclude by June 10, 2012," sources added. The representative of PMD informed the meeting that gradual increase in temperature in coming days in Northern Areas and rains will enhance releases for the Kharif season. After detailed deliberations on the water statistics, the technical committee decided that water will not be stored in dams so that maximum water should be made available for irrigation purposes.
"Our priority is irrigation. Any constraints from Wapda regarding power generation will be given minimum importance," the sources continued. The meeting also decided that Irsa's advisory committee will meet on March 30, 2012 to ratify the decisions taken by the technical committee. The committee decided to supply 9 MAF water to Punjab, 5.6 MAF to Sindh, 0.4 MAF to Balochistan and 0.2 MAF to Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP) respectively till June 10, 2012.
"Water shortage will be shared by Punjab and Sindh alone as Balochistan and KP are exempted," the sources maintained. Both Punjab and Sindh faced 18 per cent water shortage during the ongoing Rabi season. Irsa will decide about future water shortages in its meeting to be held on June 30, 2012 when the Kharif season will be in full swing. The technical committee in its meeting on March 16, 2012 had failed to work out the issue of water availability and shortage for the Kharif cropping season with the provinces.