SUKKUR: Lack of rain and sweltering hot weather is drying up the water reserves causing imminent severe water shortage across the country, the Indus River System Authority said.

The alert, which was issued to all the provinces through a statement on Friday, comes amid the heatwave gripping the southern region of the country. Last week, Jacobabad, the last city of Sindh, hit 50˚C followed by Sibi and Dadu.

Experts have already expressed their fears of water scarcity and climate change effects of the change of weather. They have already urged the authorities to churn out plans to ensure water availability and its storage.

“It is apprehended another dip at rim stations water inflows will grip the country in the next 24-48 hours as Tarbela may again touch the dead level of 1,398 feet,” read Irsa’s statement.

“Reduction will further spread to provinces with respect to a time-lag of four to five days to Punjab and 10-12 days to Sindh,” it read and urged all the provinces to use the water carefully.

Irsa has written letters to irrigation secretaries of all provinces in this regard, according to Sukkur Barrage Control Room in charge Aziz Soomro.

Almost 21 per cent shortage of water flow was recorded in the Sindh river, it said, adding that a record shortage of water is being reported in rivers of northern areas. Punjab rivers might face water shortage in the next four to five days.