Qabool Mohammad Khatian, Chairman of the Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA), has strongly criticized the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) for allegedly reducing irrigation water flows to Sindh, demanding the removal of IRSA's chairman. In a statement issued on Thursday, Khatian blamed IRSA for the severe water crisis in Sindh, claiming the province faces a 45% water shortage.
Water Mismanagement Allegations
Khatian stated that despite the ongoing rice cultivation season, IRSA is depriving Sindh of its due share of irrigation water, calling it a grave injustice. He noted that at the start of the Kharif season, dams held 4 million acre-feet (MAF) of water, a substantial reserve. However, IRSA retained water in dams instead of supplying it to Sindh, preventing farmers from even sowing rice nurseries.
Impact on Agriculture
Rainfall in late April should have improved water availability, but mismanagement by IRSA has pushed Sindh's agricultural economy toward collapse. Khatian alleged that water is being stored in dams while the Chashma-Jhelum and Taunsa-Panjnad flood canals divert water to the Jhelum-Chenab region. He accused IRSA of deliberately creating the crisis, operating on majority decisions while Balochistan's seat remains vacant and Sindh's member is hospitalized.
IRSA's strategy is based on forecasts that Mangla Dam may not reach maximum conservation levels, while Tarbela Dam is expected to fill. Consequently, IRSA retains water in Mangla and reduces Tarbela's storage by transferring water to eastern river command areas. Sindh receives 48% less water than its share during peak cultivation season.
Unfair Water Accounting
Khatian criticized IRSA for justifying this treatment based on rainfall forecasts, despite weather predictions being unreliable beyond ten days. He claimed Sindh's water share is being usurped, and rainwater released in April is counted as Sindh's allocated share, even though it was supplied without indent and exceeded Water Accord allocations.
Most of Sindh's irrigated land is designated for rice cultivation, with transplantation in the Kotri Barrage command area from June 1 to June 15. In Sukkur Barrage's right bank command area, an additional ten-day lag exists before water reaches fields. Dams should store surplus water for when needed, but IRSA acts contrary to this principle.
Economic Consequences
Improper crop cultivation risks affecting exports worth approximately US$4.5 billion, damaging the national economy and potentially causing food shortages. Khatian demanded the removal of the IRSA chairman and responsible officials, replacing them with impartial and competent officers to save Sindh's agricultural economy from imminent collapse.
