Irsa advisory committee to finalise Kharif 2026 water distribution on April 7

ISLAMABAD: The Advisory Committee of the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) is scheduled to meet on April 7 to settle water allocations for the provinces for the Kharif 2026 season.

The meeting, to be held under the Irsa chairman, will be attended by all Irsa members along with representatives of Wapda, the Federal Flood Commission, the director general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, and the irrigation secretaries of all four provinces.

The authority is functioning without a regular Sindh member and without a full-fledged federal member from the province. Sindh’s representative in Irsa, Mohammad Ehsan Leghari, stepped down on Nov 19, 2025 after taking up a position as member (water) in the Sindh government’s Planning and Development Department.

His resignation has still not been accepted by the federal water resources ministry more than five months later, as the matter has to be placed before the federal cabinet for approval. Sindh nominated Shafqat Wadhu, a retired chief engineer of the irrigation department, on Jan 28, 2026, but that nomination has also not yet been cleared by the federal cabinet. It remains unclear whether the water resources ministry has forwarded the proposal or whether it is still pending. Despite his resignation, Leghari will attend the April 7 meeting of the Irsa Advisory Committee.

Another issue for Sindh is the appointment of a federal member from the province in the water regulator. That matter is also still pending for reasons not explained, although both summaries were to be initiated by the water resources ministry.

Reservoir levels improve after rains

Meanwhile, ongoing rainfall in different parts of the country has improved water availability and raised storage levels in major reservoirs.

According to Irsa, Tarbela Dam is close to full capacity. Its water level has been recorded at 1,449.82 feet, compared with its maximum storage capacity level of 1,550 feet. The dam currently contains 1.006 million acre-feet of usable water.

Mangla Dam is also holding significant reserves. Irsa said its storage stands at 1.268 million acre-feet, while the current water level is 1,138 feet against a maximum capacity of 1,242 feet.

At Chashma Barrage, water storage has been recorded at 0.171 million acre-feet. The barrage’s maximum capacity level is 649 feet, while the present level stands at 645 feet.

Inflows and outflows remain steady

Irsa said inflows and outflows at the main reservoirs are stable. Tarbela is receiving 43,000 cusecs of water and releasing 20,000 cusecs. At Chashma Barrage, inflow has been recorded at 57,700 cusecs, while outflow stands at 35,000 cusecs. Mangla is receiving 47,500 cusecs and releasing 22,000 cusecs.

The April 7 meeting is expected to determine provincial water shares for the upcoming Kharif season in light of the improved storage position and current reservoir operations.