The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has approved an overall 8% water shortage for the Rabi 2025-26 season — the lowest in the last ten years, citing improved inflows and record reservoir levels following a wet Kharif season.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the IRSA Advisory Committee (IAC) held at IRSA Headquarters, chaired by Sahibzada Muhammad Shabir, Chairman IRSA. The meeting was attended by IRSA Members, the Chief Engineering Advisor (CEA), Ministry of Water Resources, representatives from WAPDA, and secretaries of the provincial irrigation departments of Punjab and Sindh, among other senior officials.
The IAC reviewed the performance of Kharif 2025, noting that actual inflows of 122.364 million acre-feet (MAF) exceeded expectations by 18%, the 10-year average by 19%, and last year’s inflows by 14%. Despite allocations and indents totaling 78.427 MAF and releases of 99.292 MAF, provinces utilized only 62.394 MAF, primarily due to heavy monsoon rains and floods across the eastern and western rivers.
As a result, the Authority confirmed that almost all reservoirs were filled to maximum capacity, with 13.214 MAF of total storage available as of September 30, 2025 — equivalent to 99% of the country’s maximum storage capacity.
For the upcoming Rabi 2025-26 season, the IAC approved anticipated rim-station inflows of 22.016 MAF, resulting in a modest system shortage of 8%. Total provincial withdrawals have been set at 33.814 MAF, well above both the 10-year average (28.870 MAF) and last year’s withdrawals (29.427 MAF).
The province-wise allocations are as follows:
Province 10-Year Average (MAF) Last Year (MAF) Rabi 2025-26 Allocation (MAF)
Punjab 15.367 15.561 18.207
Sindh 11.935 12.154 13.734
KP (CRBC) 0.528 0.668 0.701
Balochistan 1.040 1.044 1.171
Total 28.870 29.427 33.814
Officials said the improved water availability this season would benefit winter crops, particularly wheat, and help stabilize irrigation supplies across provinces.
IRSA emphasized continued coordination among federal and provincial irrigation bodies to ensure equitable water distribution during the Rabi season.
