40pc of Helmand river water being released to Nimroz

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Forty percent of the Kajaki’s dam water in southern Helmand province would be given to Nimroz‘s residents under a bilateral agreement reached on Monday.

Over the past few weeks, residents of southwestern Nimroz province have been complaining about an acute shortage of drinking and irrigation water in their province and staged protests to demand the release of water from the Helmand’s river into their draught-hit farms.

Addressing a gathering in Lashkargah, the provincial capital, Helmand governor Hayatullah Hayat said a 40 percent share of the Kajaki dam’s water would be released to Nimroz for a while.

He said: “Nimroz’s residents have right on a 20 percent share in the Helmand river but due to their current situation and drought, a 40 per cent water is being given to them.”

Water and Energy Minister and Nimroz governor Mohammad Sami were also present at the meeting. Sami said their province faced a temporary water shortage.

He said construction work on Kamal Khan dam had been accelerated and its completion would relieve Nimroz’s residents from such issues.

He said: “The amount of water released from the Helmand’ s river almost 11-day back did not reach Nimroz because it was less in amount if once the water arrives, the Helmand officials could allow only 20 per cent of the water from the dam. This issue may not repeat.”

Meanwhile, Nimroz’ provincial council (PC) chief Baz Mohammad Nasari said they had been demanding water only for drinking because both the lives of both humans and animals were at risk.

At the end of the gathering, Water and Energy Minister Ali Ahmad Usmani said if the dam’s water was managed properly, it would solve water problem of both the provinces.

pk/ma