Offici­als forced to utilis­e water for Kharif crops instea­d of conser­ving itLAHORE: In a bid to meet the irrigation needs of the Kharif season, the lower than normal water flow has forced water manager saway from conserving water for the lean period of upcoming Rabi season, which is a very risky move. The water availability situation for crops has turned bleak due to faltering inflows in all main rivers as the water level has fallen below the average flows of the past 10 years. During the current Kharif crop season the water demand is on rise as temperatures continue to soar. If irrigation requirements of the Kharif crops are not met, it will cause damage to the plants and output. High floods in the coming days remain the sole hope for filling Mangla Dam up to its water holding capacity.

Source: The Express Tribune June 18, 2019 04:52 UTC