Irsa increases flows to Sindh after crop damage

Improved releases of 200,000 cusecs were made downstream of Chashma on June 13 and 14. However, it is estimated that the additional water would take five days to reach Guddu Barrage and another seven days, meaning 10 to 12 days, to reach Kotri Barrage, where shortages are most acute. Sindh’s indent is supplied at Chashma Barrage despite repeated demands that it should be released at Guddu Barrage to minimise transit losses According to updated flow data, the 200,000-cusec increased flows include Sindh’s indented supply of 160,000 cusecs sought on June 11, The remaining flow covers the water allocated for Taunsa barrage and Balochistan. Persistent water shortages have triggered strong protests in Sindh. The Sindh chief minister sought the prime minister’s intervention to “defer the filling of dams” to meet the province’s water needs, irrigation minister Jam Khan Shoro questioned Irsa, and PPP lawmakers raised the issue during the budget session in parliament. The collective pressure from farmers’ bodies, political parties, parliamentarians and the Sindh government appears to have contributed to Irsa’s decision to increase releases over the last couple of days that it was apparently holding at Chashma. Irsa was increasing pond level at Chashma barrage since early June while Sindh was desperately seeking water to feed its perennial and non-perennial canals. This was evident from water flows observed at Chashma and Sindh’s barrages in last few days. Chashma barrage also serves as storage facility for Irsa. Irrigation officials and experts noted that on June 4, when Sindh sought 1