SUKKUR: Irrigation expert Idrees Rajput has said that the situation of canals is critical and there is high risk of loss, as the water flow has gone up from last week, there is flood at small scale at Kalabagh, Chisma and Tunsa in Punjab, while at Guddu Barrage in Sindh, while Sukkur Barrage would face small flood if the water goes above 26,000 cusecs, expected rain at Koh-e-Salman and melting of glaciers at Skardu, there is possibility of medium scale flood.
He said that the Sindh government is not taking any action or released funds for repair and maintenance of these canals and due to lack of funds Irrigation Department won’t be able to function properly and there is lack of experts in the department, experienced officers have retired and the new officers are under process of learning.
He said that according to ARSA’ statistics Tarbella Dam is maintaining water level at 1511 ft, and the dam has capacity of 39 ft to take rain water.
He said that the upper flow at Tarbella was 3,11,300 cusecs, while down flow is 2,11,300 cusecs and the flow at Tarbella has become normal.
He further said that at Mangla Dam the level is water at 1220.25 and there is capacity of 23 ft at Mangla Dam, here the upper flow is 36,576 cusecs while down flow is recorded 15000 cusecs, there is still small flood at Indus River from Kalabagh Bridge, where the upper flow was 2,74,419 cusecs and the lower flow was 2,66,991, the flow has gone down at Kalabagh.
Mr. Rajput said that the water level at Chisma Lake, after small flood scale is 642 ft, here the upper flow of water 2,44, 419 and 2,66,991 water at down flow was recorded, even there is reduction in water flow at Chisma Lake.
On the other hand, keeping this in view the Sindh Government has notified seven canals to be critical in commanding areas of Guddu and Sukkur bridges. According to the notification the 11 and 12th mile of KK Band, New Tohri Band, Bhung Band, Begari Band, Bachal Shah Meeani Band and Alra-Jagir Bachao Band have been declared critical.
Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department has asked for stones, equipment and manpower to have foolproof surveillance and maintenance of these canals.
According to the administration of Bridges, they are vigilantly working to maintain the canals.
