Sukkur Barrage, Pakistan’s largest irrigation system, will be closed for 15 days starting January 6 for its annual cleaning and renovation, official local media reported on Monday.
The closure, which will last until January 20, will affect all seven output channels. The structure’s gates have been opened to allow for necessary maintenance as water levels in the dam drop.
Authorities warned that the city’s drinking water supply could be disrupted during the closure.
Residents have been advised to store water in advance and local authorities have been asked to make alternative water sources available.
Inaugurated in 1932 by the British Viceroy of India, Lord Wellington, the Sukkur Dam has 66 gates and supplies water to several canals, crucial for the region’s agriculture.
Earlier, Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro visited Sukkur Dam to hold a key meeting with Chinese engineers on repairing the dam gates.
Local irrigation engineers and officials briefed the minister on the progress, especially regarding Gate No. 44.
During the visit, Shoro also toured the ongoing development works at the dam.
He was accompanied by Environment Advisor Dost Muhammad Rahimoon, Sindh Assembly Member Dr Sikandar Shoro and other officials.
The Sukkur Dam plays a crucial role in Sindh’s irrigation system, regulating the flow of water in the Indus River for both irrigation and flood control, making its repair and maintenance vital to the supply of water. agricultural water of the region.
