Body calls for release of 35k cusecs water from downstream Sukkur
HYDERABAD: The committee formed to monitor the release of water from Manchar Lake into Indus River has expressed its apprehension over release of a big quantity of 20,000 cusecs of water into Indus...
October 12, 2010
The committee has recommended to the authority concerned for release of at least 35,000 cusecs water from downstream Sukkur Barrage to dilute the acidic water of Manchar Lake and convert it into a safe resource for consumption.
This recommendation was passed in a meeting held under the chairmanship of District Administrator Hyderabad Aftab Ahmed Khatri here at Shahbaz Hall late Monday.
The District Administrator Thatta, district officers from Badin, Tando Muhammad Khan and Jamshoro districts, water expert Dr. Ahsan Siddiqui and MD WASA attended the meeting and took part in the deliberations.
The meeting was informed that due to discharge of heavy flow of 20,000 cusecs water from Manchar Lake against the low discharge of 16,000 cusecs water at downstream Sukkur Barrage the TDS level of Indus River water has reached a dangerous line of 500 and in case of its further increase the water of Indus River would not remain safe for its lower riparian.
The committee also informed that the magnesium level in the Indus River water has already crossed its danger line of 100 mg per litrewith an existing level of 115 mg per litre as such it has become imperative to enhance the discharge at downstream Sukkur Barrage up to 35,000 cusec of water so that contaminated water of Manchar Lake could be diluted to a safe level, as at present the Sukkur Barrage at its upstream is attending a flow of 52,000 cusecs.
District Administrator Aftab Ahmed Khatri while addressing the meeting said that it was not only a matter of Hyderabad's citizens but the people of all districts downstream Kotri Barrage could also be affected.
He also directed the WASA authorities to put a strict vigilance over supply of water to the citizens of Hyderabad and to ensure that it was safe for human consumption.
Water expert Dr. Ahsan Siddiqui while talking in the meeting said that increase in the water flow downstream Sukkur Barrage was the only way to solve the problem. However, he maintained that the water being supplied to the citizens of Hyderabad was being continuously tested at seven places after every 4 hours.
