ISLAMABAD: Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has decided to close Taunsa-Panjnad (TP) link canal from Tuesday (today) due to severe water shortage in the reservoirs.

According to IRSA spokesperson, current water shortage for Punjab was 66 percent, Sindh, 54 percent, whereas no shortage is for KP and Balochistan.

"Difference in shortages between Punjab and Sindh is because of less supply available in Jhelum and Chenab Rivers," he added.

As per IRSA's water account, shortages faced by the provinces during the period from October 1, 2017 to March 10, 2018 were as follows; (i) Punjab, 31 percent; (ii) Sindh, 32 percent; (iii) Balochistan, 7 percent and; (iv) KPK 21 percent.

Punjab utilized 11.9 MAF against its share of 11.9 MAF whereas Sindh utilized 9.13 MAF against share of 13.4 MAF. Balochistan utilized 1.05 MAF as compared to its share of 1.12 MAF and KPK utilized 0.46 MAF against its share of 0.56 MAF.

According to Irsa spokesperson, as river supplies have once again tumbled so Punjab's share on Indus system has again reduced to 4,000 cusecs only. Of which flows in Thal Canal and CJ Link Canal were 2000 cusecs each respectively. On Monday, Punjab's share was 20,800 cusecs, Sindh, 18,000 cusecs, KPK, 2,400 cusecs, and Balochistan, 3,000 cusecs.—MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN