River Indus

Saturday, July 20, 2013  By:  Baqar Shah

Mouth Arabian Sea

Location Indus River Delta, Pakistan

Length 3,200 km (1,988 mi)

Basin 1,165,000 km2 (449,809 sq mi)

Discharge - average 6,600 m3/s (233,077 cu ft/s)

The Indus River provides key water resources for the economy of Pakistan - especially the Breadbasket of Punjab province, which accounts for most of the nation's agricultural production, and Sindh. The word Punjab means "water of five rivers" and the five rivers are Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, all of which finally merge in Indus. The Indus also supports many heavy industries and provides the main supply of potable water in Pakistan.

Source: Wikipedia

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I am constrained to bring some points to the attention of the  authorities concerned on the present condition of the Indus  The rare photo (1912-1914) shows the steam boat carrying passengers on the Indus 100 years ago. Now look at the present state of the river, it banks flooded, undrendged for the past 100 years. The Mississippi river in USA is drenched every four years, hence boats and barges move freely up and down I therefore suggest that we build Artificial Lakes along the banks to reduce flood damage and at the same time water stored will be useful during draughts periods. These Lakes can also be used to save the Marine life including the endangered species the Blind Dolphin  If we fail to action now, I fear that in some years Indus may change its course.

Copyright: agrinfobank.com

10,000 cusecs of fresh water released into Indus Delta

June 27, 2013 M RAFIQUE GORAYA

About 10,000 cusecs water is being released downstream Kotri Barrage into the Indus Delta region to meet its fresh water requirements after a lapse of nine months, Flood Warning Centre said here on Wednesday. It said 42,868 cusecs water is flowing into the Kotri Barrage on River Indus, 60 miles upstream the Arabian Sea, of which 10,000 cusecs water is being discharged downstream after filling the Kotri irrigation canals that water Kharif crops of the lower Sindh.
Irrigation engineers say that water is released in the coastal Indus Delta region comprising Thatta and Badin districts during the monsoon season when there is surplus water in the Indus river. Experts say that lack of fresh water flow downstream Kotri Barrage is a national issue, as the coastal delta was dying up slowly.
FWC said that surplus water in the Indus River at Kotri Barrage is being discharged in the Delta almost two weeks ahead of the normal schedule since sufficient quantities of water are running in the four live rivers of the country. Rivers flows and reservoirs level report of Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) for 26 June 2013 said that 2,12,100 cusecs water is flowing into Tarbela dam on River Indus, 85,000 cusecs water in the river Kabul at Nowshera, 48,300 cusecs in the River Jhelum at Mangla and 75,300 cusecs in the River Chenab at Marala.
WEATHER REPORT: Met Office has said that Monsoon currents are reaching into upper and eastern parts of the country. A fresh westerly wave is also expected to affect upper parts of the country from Thursday (evening) and likely to persist during 03-04 days.
FORECAST FOR TODAY: Scattered dust thunderstorm/ rain is likely to occur over Peshawar, Kohat, Hazara, Islamabad divisions, upper Punjab and Kashmir. Isolated dust thunderstorm/rain may also occur over Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Kalat, Zhob, D I Khan divisions, Waziristan and central Punjab. While mainly dry weather with chances of isolated dust raising winds in plain areas is expected over rest of the country.
WEATHER NEXT 48 HOURS: Scattered rain thunderstorm is expected in Kashmir, Islamabad, upper Punjab, upper KP, while at isolated places of southern KP and Gilgit-Baltistan
Meanwhile, weather remained hot and humid in most parts of the country. However, rain-thunderstorm occurred at isolated places of Kashmir, Malakand, Hazara divisions and Northeast Punjab. Met office recorded rain as follows: Saidu Sharif and Balakot 53, Lower Dir 29, Mangla 10, Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot 09, Sialkot (A/P) 07, Sialkot (City) and Malamjabba 04, Parachinar 03, Kakul 01.
HOTTEST PLACES LAST 24 HRS: Nokkundi 48°C, Dalbandin 47°C, Bhakkar 45°C, Bahawalnagar 44°C.
FORECAST FOR NEXT 24-HOURS: Scattered dust thunderstorm/ rain is likely to occur over Peshawar, Kohat, Hazara, Islamabad divisions, upper Punjab and Kashmir. Isolated dust thunderstorm/rain may also occur over Hyderabad, Mir pur khas, Kalat, Zhob, D I Khan divisions, Waziristan and central Punjab. While mainly dry weather with chances of isolated dust raising winds in plain areas is expected over rest of the country.
RAINFALL RECORDED IN (MM) DURING PAST 24 HRS (UPTO 0800 PST): Balakot and Saidusharif-53(each), Shakargarh-50, Hattian Bala-42, Marala (Down stream-41 andup stream-10),Kund-31, Lower Dir-29,Kotnaina-19, Daggar-18,Domel-12,Muzaffarabad -11,
Mangla-10, Rawalakot-09, Sialkot(Airport-07 and city-04),Besham-06, Oghi -05,Jassar,Parachinar and Malamjabba-03(each), Shinkiari and Nauseri-02(each),Talhatta, Chattar Kalas,Kotli and Kakul-01 (each), Karachi (Airport), Jhelum, Islamabad(Airport).

Source: http://www.brecorder.com