Pakistan, India agree to share flood information

ISLAMABAD - The Indus waters commissioners of India and Pakistan have agreed to share information on rains and floods in advance.

A cell has been established at the office of Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters, according to Radio Pakistan.

Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters Mirza Asif Baig said his Indian counterpart has agreed to provide the advance flood information in Monsoon in line with arrangements made during last year. This means that India has not agreed to supply inflows to the reservoirs and their water levels on the Eastern Rivers.

Baig, however, said his office would supply estimated levels and empty capacities of the reservoirs on the Eastern rivers.

Flood flow reports will also be broadcast by Jammu radio stations at 9am, 2:30pm and 10:40pm PST.

The information would relate to Chenab at Akhnoor for 75,000 Cusecs and above; Jammu Tawi at Jammu for 20,000 Cusecs and above and Ravi below Madhopur for 30,000 Cusecs and above.

India will also provide information on flood flows about Sutlej at Rupar below; Hanke below and Ferozepur below as well as Ravi at Madhopur below.

According to the arrangement, releases from Bhakra reservoir on River Sutlej, Pong reservoir on Beas River and Thein reservoir on River Ravi are also to be supplied to Pakistan daily.