IRSA starts preserving water outflow

ISLAMABAD: The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has started preserving water outflow, keeping in view the start of the canal-closure season starting from January 6. According to officials, the decision was taken to control water wastage in canals during the season and to preserve water.

“In case of good rains, which are expected, the authority will further reduce the water release,” said Aman Gul Khattak, the IRSA chairman, on Tuesday.

Commenting on the present water situation, he said the authority was releasing water according to requirements despite the water shortage. The chairman hoped for better water management and expected that rains would help overcome the water shortage for the season. He said if more rains occurred in the upper catchment areas of dams, the water level at both Tarbela and Mangla dams would increase. Meanwhile, the water level at Tarbela Dam on Tuesday touched 1,406.05 feet, which was 37 feet higher than the dead level of 1,369 feet.

The present water level at the dam is still 144 feet lower than the total capacity of the dam, which is 1,550 feet. The water level at Mangla Dam was at 1,074 feet, which was 34 feet above the dead level of 1,040 feet. app

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