M RAFIQUE GORAYA
LAHORE (March 02 2010): The recent rains and
snowfall in the upper regions have increased
the much needed daily water inflows in the
four rivers of the country to 91,000 cusecs
at a very crucial stage of maturity of wheat
and other Rabi crops. It is 26,000 cusecs
more than the past weeks' average flows at
rim stations of rivers Indus, Kabul, Jhelum
and Chanab.
According to the river flows and reservoirs
level report of the Water and Power
Development Authority (Wapda) on Monday
water inflow in river Indus at Tarbela dam
was 32,000 cusecs, river Kabul at Nowshera
21,600, river Jhelum at Mangla 28,600 cusecs
and river Chenab at Marala 9,100 cusecs.
It said that the Indus River System
Authority (Irsa) is releasing 96,000 cusecs
water against the inflows of 91,000 cusecs
at the rim stations, for distribution among
the provinces to meet their irrigation water
needs.
It is releasing 61,000 cusecs water for the
Indus Zone Indus 40,000 cusecs and Kabul,
21,000 cusecs. On Monday 34,000 cusecs
flowed upstream Guddu barrage in Sindh. The
Sindh irrigation department released 29,900
cusecs water downstream towards the Sukkur
Barrage.
Chief amounts of Rainfall (mm) during last
24 hrs Dir = 45, Balakot = 29, Rawalakot
=25, Murree = 23, Muzaffarabad =
19,Islamabad =18, Abbatabad =17, Rawalpindi=15,
Chitral=11, Peshawar =10, Jehlum = 09mm
Cherat 7 mm, Chilas 6.4 mm, Sialkot 5.6 ,
Garidoputta 5.5. Gilgit 4.8 mm, Mangla 4. Mm
, Mianwali 4 mm, Bannu 3 and Hunza 2 .
Agriculture experts say that rains in
Rawalpindi division, Azad Jammu and Kashmir,
and Gilgit-Baltistan have greatly helped the
wheat, grams, mustard, and fodder crops and
enlivened the LIVESTOCK, DAIRY and POULTRY
farms. Agriculture, LIVESTOCK, DAIRY and
POULTRY farming are the main source of
livelihood for the majority of people of
these areas.
These rains have filled the ponds and small
dams with the drinking water for the
LIVESTOCK like sheep, goats, camels, cows,,
buffalo and other animals.
NATIONAL WEATHER OUTLOOK In its national
weather outlook, the Meteorological
department has said that the prevailing
westerly wave has moved north-east wards and
may persist for another 6 to 12 hours in
Kashmir and Northern Areas. Another fresh
westerly is likely to enter Balochistan from
March 3 (early morning) and likely to spread
upper parts from March 3 (evening) and may
persist for two to three days.
In Punjab mainly dry weather is expected
during next two days and scattered rains
with thundershower expected in upper Punjab
including Islamabad from March 3 (Night) for
24 to 36 hours with occasional gaps. In NWFP
mainly dry weather is expected during next
two days and rain/thundershower with
snowfall over the hills is expected at
scattered places in Malakand, Hazara and
Peshawar divisions during 3rd and 4th March.
In Sindh, dry weather is expected in most
parts of the province during next few days,
however, possibility of light rains in the
coastal and central areas on March 4 cannot
be ruled out. In Balochistan mainly dry
weather is expected during next 24-36 hours
and rain with thundershower expected at
scattered places in the province afterwards.
In Kashmir & Gilgit-Baltistan: mainly dry
weather is being expected during next 36
hours and Rain/Thundershower with light
snowfall over the hills is expected at
scattered places during 3rd and 4th March.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2010
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