ISLAMABAD - The Indus River System Authority (Irsa) has called an emergency meeting of the Adisery Committee on November 1 to review the water shortage, as the rivers are flowing at historical low, it is learnt reliably here on Monday.

Flows in River Kabul is at the lowest level of its history, while flows in other level are also less than the forecasted flows, which will compel the committee to upward revise the water shortage during Rabi season, official sources told The Nation. “On October 31, we will get the data for the entire first month of Rabi season and in the light of the available flows and water in dams, the Irsa’s advisory committee, which is meeting here Wednesday, will review the water shortage for the season, the source maintained.

The Irsa advisery committee is likely to upward revise the water shortage for the Rabi season, the source said. Earlier, a meeting of the Irsa was convened on October 31 to discuss the telemetry system and water availability data but now it has been postponed. Last month, the Irsa’s advisery committee has forecasted around 20 percent water shortage for the Rabi season; however, the rivers flows were far lesser than the forecast. During the first 20 days of Rabi season (October 1 to 20), the flows in rivers were 21 percent less than the average flows of the past 10 years. The average flows received, during past 10 years, were 3.7 MAF. However, this year the flows reduced to 2.94 MAF, the source said. The total average anticipation in Indus, Kabul, Jhelum, and Chenab was 3.675 MAF but the actual inflows of 2.943 MAF were received, the source said. Now it is most likely that the provinces will face more than 30 percent water shortage, the source maintained.

On Monday, the flows in River Indus at Tarbela were 28,100 cusecs and outflows 35,000 cusecs, flows in Kabul at Nowshera were 1,600 cusecs and outflows 1,600 cusecs, inflows in Jhelum at Mangla were 5,500 cusecs and outflows were 20,000 cusecs, inflows in Chenab at Marala were 8,500 cusecs and outflows 900 cusecs. Against the minimum operating level 1,380 feet, Tarbela present level is 1,480.87 feet. The maximum conservation level of the dam is 1,550 feet.

Similarly, Mangla minimum operating level is 1,040 feet, and present level 1,181.80 feet. The maximum conservation level of Mangla is 1,242 feet. Chashma present level 638.30 feet against its minimum operating level of 637 feet and maximum conservation level 649 feet.