LARKANA: The Right Bank Canal System of Sukkur Barrage is experiencing a critical irrigation water shortage, severely impacting command areas in Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts, as well as lands in Balochistan fed through the North West Canal (NWC) during the peak Kharif crop season. The shortage also affects Dadu Canal, Rice Canal, and areas irrigating Sukkur district.
Alarming Shortfall Levels
Sources familiar with the situation reported that the prevailing shortfall across the canal network has reached alarming levels: North West Canal (-) 64.1%, Rice Canal (-) 38.0%, and Dadu Canal (-) 82.0%. Credible data from Sindh's irrigation department indicates that Punjab is currently drawing 53,394 cusecs against its allocated share of 44,000 cusecs, an excess withdrawal of about 21.35%. Similarly, Taunsa Barrage is lifting 25,694 cusecs against its entitled share of 24,000 cusecs, reflecting an over-withdrawal of approximately 9.3%.
Water Accumulation Upstream
Meanwhile, the pond level at Chashma Barrage has recorded a continuous rise, climbing from 644.9 feet on Friday to 646.4 feet, indicating water accumulation in the upper reaches even as downstream scarcity deepens. A reliable source said that the chief engineer of the Barrage Management Unit was kept informed about the current water situation and was requested to take due consideration and necessary action. The matter was also conveyed to the irrigation secretary and the department's technical secretary, among other officials.
Disparity in Water Releases
Despite Sindh submitting an indent of 130,000 cusecs, only 100,000 cusecs is being released, leaving the province to contend with a massive shortfall. Irrigation officials expressed particular concern over the controversial Chashma-Jhelum (CJ) Link Canal, which remains operational and draws approximately 16,500 cusecs—a volume exceeding the combined flow of several canals at tail-end barrages that irrigate the country's major agricultural zones.
Impact on Agriculture and Livelihoods
The ongoing water crisis in Sindh's Right Bank Canal System is affecting millions of acres of agricultural land and stands in direct contradiction to the principles of equitable water distribution enshrined in the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991. Federal authorities are being urged to take immediate steps to ensure Sindh receives its rightful water share without delay; review and regulate excess water withdrawals in the upper reaches; streamline operations of link canals in accordance with designated allocations; and establish regulations to ensure adequate water supply to Sukkur Barrage's Right Bank canals to meet agricultural needs in Larkana, Shahdadkot, the Balochistan segment, Dadu, and Sukkur districts.
Urgent Intervention Needed
The situation demands urgent high-level intervention before the ongoing shortfall causes irreversible damage to the region's agriculture and rural livelihoods. This report is based on field data and official irrigation records from the Sukkur Barrage Right Bank Canal System.
Economic Implications
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has constantly reminded authorities that Sindh, as a major contributor to the national economy, produces 5.5 million tonnes of rice annually and generates $1.4 billion in rice exports. Cutting the province's water share during Kharif amounts to 'economic massacre' of this lower riparian province.
Ishaq Mugheri, a former president of the Sindh Abadgar Board's Qambar-Shahdadkot district chapter, provided specific details: NWC deficit 64.1%, Rice Canal deficit 38%, and Dadu Canal deficit 82%. Most farmers and landowners in Shahdadkot, Qubo Saeed Khan, and other vast areas irrigate their lands with supplies from the Saifullah Magsi branch, but due to incomplete remodeling of major irrigation channels, paddy transplantation has not started. He said: "We are still waiting for water to reach the tail-end to start preparing paddy nurseries."
Mr. Mugheri added that Dadu Canal allocation is 4,995 cusecs but only 860 cusecs is provided; North Western Canal allocation is 6,260 cusecs but only 2,100 cusecs is provided for Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot. Rice Canal allocation is 8,700 cusecs but only 5,300 cusecs is provided. Withdrawal at Taunsa is 25,694 cusecs against an entitled allocation of 24,000, an excess of 9.3%. Another issue that could arise between Sindh and Balochistan is over their respective water shares from the Grang Regulator, as the NWC currently receives less water, which is the key channel for distribution.
