ISLAMABAD: In a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and attended by the Minister for Power Division and the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Secretary Ministry of Water Resources briefed about the current water situation in the country. It was apprised to the Prime Minister that according to the data obtained from IRSA and WAPDA, Pakistan is facing water shortage during the ongoing Kharif season due to significantly less snow fall in the catchments during the preceding winter season. In the past ten years, minimum snow cover was recorded in year 2010 which was around 45% of the catchment area, whereas, in the current year it is 5% less than the past minimum value and the current recorded area is around 40%. It may also be mentioned that the snow cover during last year was 54%. Due to less snowfall in the winter, IRSA, in April, anticipated – and unanimously announced – 31% shortage of water from April 01 to June 10. However, since April, the actual available water remained further 15% less due to which the storages have touched the dead levels. The earlier anticipated shortage of 31% is therefore likely to increase up to 45% to 50%. Since April, the current water availability remained ever lowest during last sixteen years which has caused reduced generation of hydropower worst ever during past five years. Keeping in view the gradual increase in the temperature, IRSA expects that the water availability will begin to enhance in the first week of June to the extent, at least, to cater for the minimum water requirements of the country. By the end June, however, it is expected that the water would be available to meet the maximum irrigation requirements of the country. The shortage in water is adversely affecting sowing of Kharif crops and the hydel power generation Published in Daily Times, May 12th 2018.