The advisory body will meet on April 7 as rain increases water levels in major reservoirs
View of the Sukkur Dam, formerly known as Lloyd Dam, as flood water passes, following monsoon rains and rising levels of the Indus River in Sukkur, Sindh province. Photo: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The Indus River System Authority Advisory Committee will meet on April 7 to finalize the distribution of water to the provinces for the 2026 Kharif season.
The committee meeting chaired by Irsa will be attended by all Irsa members, representatives of Wapda, Federal Flood Commission, director general of Pakistan Meteorological Department and the four provincial irrigation secretaries.
However, the body appears incomplete as it is missing a regular member from Sindh and a full federal member from the province.
Sindh’s Irsa member Mohammad Ehsan Leghari resigned on November 19, 2025 after joining the Planning and Development Department of the Sindh government as a member (water). His resignation is yet to be accepted by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources even after more than five months as it needs to be sent to the federal cabinet for approval.
Sindh nominated Shafqat Wadhu, retired chief engineer of irrigation department, on January 28, 2026. His nomination has not been approved by the federal cabinet. It is not clear if the ministry has forwarded the proposal or if it is still pending. Leghari, however, will attend the IAC meeting on April 7.
Another contentious issue for Sindh is the appointment of a federal member from the province in the water regulator. The matter remains pending for unexplained reasons, although both summaries were to have come from the Ministry of Water Resources.
The rains that continue throughout the country have had a positive impact on water availability, significantly improving levels in the main reservoirs.
According to the Indus River System Authority (Irsa), the Tarbela Dam has almost reached its maximum capacity; the water level is recorded at 1,449.82 feet against its maximum storage capacity of 1,550 feet.
The dam currently contains 1.006 million acre-feet of usable water, reflecting a substantial increase in reserves.
The Mangla Dam is also experiencing ample storage, with water reserves recorded at 1.268 million acre-feet. Its current water level stands at 1,138 feet, compared to its maximum capacity of 1,242 feet, according to Irsa.
Similarly, Chashma Barrage has recorded water storage of 0.171 million acre-feet. The dam has a maximum capacity level of 649 feet, while the current level is 645 feet.
Water inflows and outflows in key reservoirs remain stable.
Tarbela is receiving an inflow of 43,000 cusecs, with an outflow of 20,000 cusecs. In Chashma Barrage, inflows of 57,700 cusecs and outflows of 35,000 cusecs have been recorded. The Mangla dam receives 47,500 cusecs of water and releases 22,000 cusecs.
