Farmers counting on rains amid water concerns

A protracted spell of drought coupled with dropping temperatures over the previous month has taken a toll on agricultural actions, notably impacting the rabi crops, throughout the nation.

Farmers are wanting as much as the sky for a January spell of rain within the hope of placing the cropping cycle again on its toes. In response to climate pundits, the much-needed rains — if materialised — can be useful for crops, notably for cleansing the setting, rising the photosynthetic exercise, sustaining the required temperatures in addition to enhancing the water provide.

In response to the crop watchers, wheat, particularly in barani (rainfed) lands, as a result of absence of rain, would get most benefit if it rains in January. The frost additionally delays the sowing of maize because it doesn’t assist situations for its germination. Maize sowing begins by mid-January and extends into February, so the farmers at the moment are holding their fingers crossed.

Other than the cropping cycle, the key advantage of the rains will probably be reaped by the irrigation system. Although the rains wouldn’t have an effect on the river flows a lot, they are going to assist ship some direct advantages.

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In the meantime, because the temperature drops throughout the nation, statistics revealed by the Water and Energy Growth Authority (Wapda) on Tuesday indicated alarming water depletion in reservoirs, with the stream in key rivers discharged virtually as quickly as it’s being acquired.

In response to a Wapda spokesperson, the Indus River at Tarbela is experiencing an influx of 16,700 cusecs with an outflow of 15,000 cusecs. Equally, at Mangla on the Jhelum River, each the influx and discharge stand at 5,000 cusecs.

Moreover, the Chashma Barrage stories an influx of 12,200 cusecs, barely larger than the discharge charge of 10,000 cusecs.

Equally, at Head Marala on the Chenab River, the influx and outflow stay constant at 4,500 cusecs every, as per the spokesperson’s declaration.

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The Wapda spokesman additionally highlighted the stream of water at Nowshera into the Kabul River, indicating an influx and outflow of seven,500 cusecs every.

Relating to reservoir ranges, the spokesperson disclosed that Tarbela’s present water storage stands at 2,274,000 acre-feet, whereas Mangla’s storage reaches 2,052,000 acre-feet.

The cumulative water storage in Tarbela, Mangla, and Chashma Reservoir has been reported as 4,326,000 acre-feet by the Wapda spokesman.

Notably, the WAPDA spokesman emphasised that the influx and outflow information into the Kabul River at Nowshera and the Jhelum River at Mangla are based mostly on 24-hour common flows, offering a snapshot of the constant water actions within the areas.