Add news
News Every Day |

Water shortage in Sindh hits 50pc mark, threatens Kharif crops

0

HYDERABAD: Since the country’s both vital dams — Tarbela and Mangla — have hit dead level, Sindh is facing an acute shortage of irrigation water now when formal Kharif season is set to begin.

At the fag end of Rabi season, the shortage in Sindh had already worsened to 45pc for winter crops. On Monday, Sindh reported an overall 50pc water shortage with Guddu Barrage recording 10.3pc and Sukkur Barrage 66.3pc.

Mangla had hit dead level of 1,050ft on March 15 and Tarbela was only one foot above the dead level of 1,402ft today (March 17). Indus River System Authority (Irsa) Director of Operations Khalid Idrees Rana has described the situation as “usual phenomenon at this stage of Rabi season”.

Irsa’s advisory committee was to hold its meeting on April 1 to discuss water flows availability and overall scenario for upcoming summer crop season but it is likely to be held later in the first week of April due to the Eid holidays.

Normally, Tarbela Dam is considered to be the primary source of irrigation water for Sindh. Mangla Dam hardly feeds the province. The Sukkur Barrage feeds most of Sindh’s lands through its seven major canals. Guddu and Sukkur barrages also provide water to Balochistan.

Guddu Barrage is currently drawing water only for Ghotki Feeder — its left bank channel — whereas the right bank canal — Desert Pat Feeder — supplies 1,900 cusecs to Balochistan, which was also receiving 500 cusecs for the Kachhi canal through Taunsa Barrage till March 17. Sukkur Barrage was also providing another 600 cusecs to Balochistan.

Kotri Barrage was having a flow of 5,199 cusecs, including 1,200 cusecs for Karachi. Some quantum of around 200 cusecs was released to Hyderabad and Latifabad for drinking purpose.

Mango orchards need water

Among Sindh’s winter crops, wheat is at grain formation stage and may have adverse implication due to the current shortage. Besides, mango orchards also need water. Orchards are mostly located along the left bank areas of Sukkur Barrage, right up to Umerkot. Sukkur barrage’s Rohri and Nara canals were having 3,600 cusecs discharge each on Monday against the allocation of 8,300 and 11,500 cusecs, respectively.

The West Jamrao branch, which is part of the Nara Canal System in Mirpurkhas, is facing an 80pc water shortage leaving growers high and dry to feed mango orchards that are at the fruit formation stage.

“In my Matiari orchard, the shortage in Rohri canal system’s Hyderabad branch is having 50pc shortage. A rotation programme is underway. The fruit will start shedding if required flows are not given to orchards,” Nadeem Shah, a mango producer observed. “Flowering in the trees was seen a couple of months back and now fruit setting is being seen,” he said.

The lower Sindh region has early sowing trend of Kharif crops, especially cotton. The province has been struggling to have desired per acre productivity of cotton. The current acute water shortage will not augur well for this cash crop.

In Sindh, cotton is planted in February and March and newly planted seed normally requires three times watering with quick intervals. So, the cotton plantation is already suffering and would be further dented due to unavailability of water in March and April.

Sindh Abadgar Board president Mahmood Nawaz Shah agreed with Nadeem Shah, saying that water availability for mangoes was crucial at this point of time. “Shedding of fruit is bound to happen if water is not supplied to the orchards,” he said.

Besides mangoes, banana crop was bound to suffer and so is sugar cane which is usually cultivated on around 650,000 acres.

He apprehended that vegetables like okra, cauliflower and tomatoes would also be seriously impacted. “If early sown crop didn’t get required water then its germination will be hit thus economic losses to farmers,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2025

Москва

Отделение СФР по Москве и Московской области с 2025 года автоматически установило надбавки к пенсиям более 743 тысяч жителей региона с инвалидностью I группы и гражданам старше 80 лет

Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this

The Spectrum: State of the State; Columbus business leader

Dina Pugliese and Tim Bolen Are Hosting Breakfast Television

Liverpool emerge as frontrunners to sign Chelsea & Newcastle United transfer target

How 3 MILLION dogs are being slaughtered ahead of World Cup with executions & poisoned food… but Fifa is doing nothing

Ria.city
Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine






Реклама
Recommendations to help you get a great harvest of potatoes

Life hacks to help you get a big potato harvest: Asian farmers share tips


Реклама
I bought a watermelon in the market weighing 130kg.

but when he cut it, he was very surprised. It was inside

Read also

Online nach Gaming-Headsets suchen | Razer Deutschland | Razer Deutschland

Standing Up for Bureaucracy Is Not Standing Up for Science

French Politician Demands America Return the Statue of Liberty

News, articles, comments, with a minute-by-minute update, now on Today24.pro

News Every Day

Dina Pugliese and Tim Bolen Are Hosting Breakfast Television

Today24.pro — latest news 24/7. You can add your news instantly now — here


News Every Day

Dina Pugliese and Tim Bolen Are Hosting Breakfast Television



Sports today


Новости тенниса
Даниил Медведев

Даниил Медведев проиграл в полуфинале турнира Masters в Индиан-Уэллсе



Спорт в России и мире
Москва

Женские спортивные сообщества и формирование субкультур



All sports news today





Sports in Russia today

Москва

Какие виды спорта наиболее травмоопасны для суставов


Новости России

Game News

We asked two parkour athletes to rate the realism of Assassin's Creed's acrobatics, and a surprising 'crime against parkour' might actually be one of the most realistic things they saw


Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Russian.city

Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine


LG

LG расширяет мировое лидерство в области инноваций и стандартизации 6G


Губернаторы России
Байконур

Красноярская молодежь может отправиться в космическую экспедицию на Байконур


Женские спортивные сообщества и формирование субкультур

Владимир Путин и бизнес-элита обсуждают развитие на съезде в Москве

ТСД SAOTRON RT41 GUN: практичный, производительный, надёжный

Уникальный музыкант из Москвы впервые выступит в Астрахани


Концертный хор Петербурга выступил в Пскове с произведениями Сергея Рахманинова

Баста – о бое с Александром Емельяненко: «У меня шансов точно нет: ни против Джигана, ни против Емельяненко»

«Коллеги поддерживали»: Mia Boyka рассказала «Авторадио» о дебюте на премии «Виктория»

Концерт Дианы Арбениной в Оренбурге отменили после жалоб общественников


Янник Синнер и ВАДА пошли на договорняк

Андреева обыграла Соболеву и победила в финале WTA в Индиан-Уэллсе

Теннисистка Андреева из РФ обыграла белоруску Соболенко в финале турнира в США

"Бегали словно кролики": Андреева и Соболенко прокомментировали итоги финала


Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine


Как тренироваться для подготовки к марафону

Подмосковные росгвардейцы задержали подозреваемого в мошенничестве на территории магазина

ТСД SAOTRON RT41 GUN: практичный, производительный, надёжный

Как избежать травм в тренажерном зале: техника безопасности


В Омске завершился международный кинофестиваль «Свидание с Россией. Сибирский характер» имени Михаила Ульянова

В Омске завершился международный кинофестиваль «Свидание с Россией. Сибирский характер» имени Михаила Ульянова

Дубль Мартинса принес "Спартаку" первую за 7 лет победу над "Зенитом"

Росгвардия проводит набор сотрудников для службы во вневедомственной охране Луганской Народной Республики


Водительские права: автоматом уже не продлят

Все 5 томских вузов продолжат участие в "Приоритете-2030"

«Желтый» уровень опасности объявлен в Московском регионе из-за гололедицы

IV Съезд Движения Первых пройдет в Национальном центре «Россия» 26-28 марта


Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this


Путин в России и мире
Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine



Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this



Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this



Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this

Персональные новости Russian.city
Сергей Прокофьев

Оратория «Иван Грозный» Сергея Прокофьева прозвучит 16 марта в Пскове



News Every Day

The Spectrum: State of the State; Columbus business leader




Friends of Today24

Музыкальные новости

Персональные новости