Sindh, Balochistan turn down Wapda’s claim
The Sindh and Balochistan have turned down the figures of water system losses Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has proposed during Kharif season.
IRSA Advisory Committee (IAC) in its meeting held here discussed the recommendations of the IRSA Technical Committee (ITC) meeting held on March 26, 2021.
After a comprehensive discussion and input from all stakeholders, losses of 30% and 15% in Indus Zone during Early and Late Kharif, respectively, and 10% and 0% losses in JC Zone during Early and Late Kharif, respectively, as proposed by WAPDA were agreed. Member IRSA Sindh and Balochistan insisted to adopt losses of 35 % on Indus during the Early Kharif period.
However, to resolve the long-standing issue of System Losses, a Joint Committee – comprising of IRSA Members Punjab and Sindh, respective representatives of the PIDs and CEAs Office – would undertake flow measurements at required locations and would recommend the actual losses based on those observations.
An online IRSA Advisory Committee (IAC) meeting was held on April 8th, 2021 to approve the Kharif 2021 Anticipated Water Availability Criteria from April 1st, 2021 to September 30th, 2021 under the Chairmanship of Engr. Rao Irshad Ali Khan, Chairman / Member IRSA Punjab at IRSA HQs Islamabad.
IAC reviewed the Rabi 2020-21 system operation and observed that the actual Rim-Station inflows of 21.14 MAF remained 10% less than the forecasted volume of 23.44 MAF. Despite the reduction in inflows, the IAC expressed satisfaction that the actual provincial withdrawals remained at 31.21 MAF, i.e., 15% short and a little less than the anticipated shortfall of 10%, due to less than expected system losses of only 0.57 MAF as compared to the anticipation of 2.35 MAF. The provinces received indented supplies. Downstream Kotri releases remained 0.556 MAF.
PID Sindh Province also insisted on the distribution of water as per Para 2 of the Accord, however, it was informed to Sindh that the issue is pending with the Council of Common Interest (CCI), therefore, the water distribution shall be made as per practice in vogue, which is very much within the parameters of Water Accord 1991.
PMD, while informing about the weather conditions said that during the months of January to March 2021 rainfalls in the country remained below normal. He said during April – May 2021, it is anticipated that rainfalls & catchments temperature may remain normal. The forecast for Monsoon will be issued in the month of June 2021, he informed.
It was noted that the current season’s forecasted inflows were about 8% higher than the previous year and about 3.5 % higher than the last 10-years average. Based on the above-mentioned agreed Rim Station Inflows, minus storage requirements of 10.495 MAF, minus the expected system losses of 15.150 MAF and unavoidable escape during flood season of 14.423 MAF downstream Kotri.
The likely provincial withdrawals at canal heads of 68.677 MAF were 5.5% higher than last year’s withdrawals of 65.11 MAF and 5.7% higher last 10-years average of 64.97 MAF. The Basin-wise shortage was approved as 10% for Early Kharif and 4% for Late Kharif, 2021.
It was agreed by the participants that the likely projected water shortages were manageable and hopefully, the cropping targets for Early and Late Kharifs 2021 would be achieved by utilizing efficient and best water management and water application practices. It was also decided that remaining within the above indicated likely shares, the provinces would submit their Withdrawal Plans within 15 days to IRSA.
IAC also approved maintenance of Tarbela Reservoir levels at 1417 ft SPD till June 10, 2021, to facilitate T3 & T4 HPPs ongoing works, in line with the request of WAPDA.
Meanwhile, any unexpected surge in river inflows and Sediment Delta movements in the reservoir due to limited outflows capacity and sustenance of the required levels, respectively, shall be the responsibility of Tarbela authorities. However, WAPDA was directed to make efforts to complete the works by June 01 to avoid any eventuality.
