Sir: According to a media report, the country braces for one of the severe levels of water shortages for the agriculture sector in recent times mainly due to the non-filling of the Tarbela Dam to maximum capacity, causing a cut in the price of key crops during the upcoming Rabi season. It is feared that nearly 15 percent shortage in actual surface availability may occur in the upcoming Rabi season, which simply means that about 5.46 million acres’ feet of less water will be available for irrigation purposes during the said period. The water deficit of projected 15 percent in coming Rabi season is huge. It merits a mention that the Rabi crops season begins from October 1, and its crops including staple food wheat, lentil, tobacco, rapeseed, barley and mustard are harvested in April-May. The country’s agricultural output is closely linked to the availability of irrigation water. Dams provide twin benefits of water storage capacity and generation of cheaper hydroelectricity. Both are critical for the growth of agriculture and industry in the country. In view thereof, there is a dire need to exploit ideal sites available on all major rivers for the construction of dams. KHAN FARAZ Peshawar