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Federal Minister for Water Resources, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah Co-chairs meeting of flood relief activities in Sindh.
KARACHI, Tuesday, 02 May 2023:
An important meeting of the Coordination Committee for Monitoring Flood Relief Activities in Sindh constituted by the Prime Minister of Pakistan was held in the Chief Secretary Sindh office under the chairmanship of Federal Minister Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar & Federal Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah on Tuesday, 02 May 2023.
Chief Secretary Sindh Dr Muhammad Sohail Rajput, Secretaries of Provincial Departments, Officials NHA, NDMA, WAPDA and PDMA among others participated in the meeting.
While presiding over the meeting, Federal Minister said that the rains and flood situation caused a lot of damage to the country’s economy, especially agriculture, to avoid this situation in the future, the federal and provincial governments have to work collectively. He said that the federal government was making a flood protection plan and the provincial government should also send its projects regarding flood protection to the federal government so that these plans are approved on time.
In the meeting, Chief Secretary Sindh office informed about the rehabilitation of the flood victims and said that the Sindh government had conducted a house-to-house survey to assess the damage in the flood-affected areas and according to the survey, millions of people in different areas of the province are affected.
The Federal Ministers emphasized that whatever contingency plan the Sindh government makes for monsoon rains should be shared with the federal government. The federal government will also fully support the provincial government. He asked all the provincial secretaries that the issues with the federal government should be sent through this committee, and he will try to resolve the issues as soon as possible.
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‘Diamer Basha Dam is a significant project for national economy’
Federal Minister visits Diamer Basha Dam, reviews construction work
Also inaugurates Thak Small Hydel Power Station for locals
October 26, 2022: Federal Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah has said that Diamer Basha Dam is a significant project for the national economy, as this will store water for irrigated agriculture, help mitigate floods and generate environment-
friendly and low-cost hydel electricity.
He expressed these views while visiting Diamer Basha Dam, being constructed by WAPDA on River Indus, downstream of Chilas town. He was accompanied by Advisor to PM on KA&GB Qamar Zaman Kaira, Special Assistant to PM on Water Resources Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha, Federal Secretary Water Resources Hasan Nasir Jamy and Chairman WAPDA Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd). The Federal Minister reviewed excavation at right abutment of the dam and construction work on diversion system and permanent bridge. The Federal Minister, while assuring the full support of the Ministry, directed the project management to expedite their efforts for completion of the project as early as possible.
Earlier, CEO Diamer Basha Dam Company flanked by the GM and PD, the Consultants and the Contractors briefed the Federal Minister about progress on the project. Construction work is being carried out on 10 different sites, which include excavation of dam abutments from the top, diversion tunnel, diversion canal, power intake, permanent access bridge and access roads. Scheduled for completion in 2029, Diamer Basha Dam will have a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 MAF to irrigate 1.23 million acres of additional land. It will have installed power generation capacity of 4,500 MW, and provide 18 billion units of green and clean hydel electricity to the National Grid per annum.
Later, the Federal Minister for Water Resources inaugurated 3 MW-Thak Hydel Power Station - a small power house, sufficient to fulfill energy requirements of 1500-1800 households. This has been constructed by WAPDA with a cost of Rs.1.309 billion as one of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). An independent 26-Km long transmission line has also been constructed with a cost of Rs.469.039 million for evacuation of electricity from the Hydel Power Station to Harpan Das model village, Chilas.
Addressing the local elders, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah said that the Federal Government is committed to socio-economic uplift of the people in the project area. He said that a sum of Rs.78.5 billion is being spent on resettlement of affectees and CBMs in health, education and infrastructure development. The Federal Minister reiterated that the locals will always be accorded priority in employment opportunities on Diamer Basha Dam Project.
Islamabad, 21.06.22: In order to review the situation of short supplies of water from Sindh to Balochistan, the Federal Minister for Water Resources, Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah along with the Minister for Economic Affairs, Ayaz Sadiq, chaired a meeting today in Islamabad. The meeting was attended by Minister for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch and Mr. Khalid Hussain Magsi, MNA from Balochistan. Besides, the Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Chairman IRSA along with other members of IRSA were also present. The Joint Secretary (Water) Ministry of Water Resources apprised the forum about the outcome of the site visit of Sukker Barrage conducted on June 18, 2022. The forum appreciated the assurance given by the Irrigation Department, Sindh to increase the water supplies of Balochistan in Pat Feeder Canal at RD 109 from 3,000 cusecs to 6,000 cusecs within a period of three to four days. Considering the limitations conveyed by the Irrigation Department, Sindh to the visiting team from Islamabad, that water supplies to Balochistan could not be immediately improved in Uch and Manuthi Canals, whereas the increase in water supply in Kirther Canal would also be dependant on increase in river flows at Sukker Barrage which may take almost a week time, it was decided to workout short, medium and long-term measures for addressing the issue of short supplies of water from Sindh to Balochistan. The report is being prepared by the Ministry of Water Resources which will be submitted to the Committee comprising the Federal Ministers for Water Resources and Economic Affairs.
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SIGNING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF WATER MANAGEMENT BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, GOVERNMENT OF ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN AND GOVERNMENT OF HUNGARY
Islamabad July 13th, 2020:
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on water resources management between Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Govt. of Hungary on 13th July, 2020. Secretary Water Resources Mr. Muhammad Ashraf and Hungarian Ambassador H.E. Mr. IstvánSzabó, signed the documents on behalf of their respective Governments.
Federal Minister for Water Resources Mr. Faisal Vawda, Chairman WAPDA Lt. Gen. MuzammalHussain (Retd.), Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters, Syed Muhammad Mehar Ali Shah, Chairman IRSA Engr. Zahid Abbas, and Chief Federal Flood Commission Mr. Ahmed Kamal were present at the signing ceremony.
The purpose of the MoU is to establish a framework for cooperation between the parties in the field of water management on basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefits. The salient features of the MoU, inter alia, include cooperation on integrated water resources management, waste water management and water related education research and development. Both countries pledged to strengthen their partnership in the water sector to undertake mutually beneficial projects.
The Hungarian Ambassador & Minister for Water Resources applauded the efforts of the government officials and exchanged views regarding opening new horizons of technical and economic cooperation at length after the signing ceremony.
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WAPDA signed the Contract Agreement for construction of Diamer Basha Dam Project on 13th May 2020
Islamabad May 13th, 2020:
WAPDA has signed Contract Agreement for construction of Diamer Basha Dam Project on 13th May 2020, with Power China-FWO Joint Venture (JV). The worth of the agreement is Rs. 442 billion. The agreement includes construction of diversion system, main dam, access bridge and 21 MW-Tangir Hydropower Project.
Chief Executive Officer, Diamer Basha Dam Company, Mr. Amir Bashir Chaudhry and Mr. Yang Jiandu, representative of the JV signed the agreement on behalf of WAPDA and the JV respectively. Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda, Federal Minister for Water Resources, Mr. Yao Jing, Ambassador of China in Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Ashraf, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Lt Gen (Retd) Muzammil Hussain, Chairman WAPDA, Lt Gen Moazzam Ejaz, Engineer-in-Chief, Pakistan Army and Maj Gen Kamal Azfar, DG FWO were also present on the occasion.
Addressing to the ceremony, Federal Minister for Water Resources congratulated WAPDA and Power China-FWO JV, saying that today’s event is a good omen for construction of much-needed dams in Pakistan. He said that construction of Diamer Basha Dam will commence in a few weeks. He added that Diamer Basha Dam is a phenomenal project to ensure water, food and energy security in Pakistan. Dilating upon the developments of water sector by the incumbent Federal Government, the Minister said that after Mohmand Dam, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in May last year, Diamer Basha Dam is the second mega multi-purpose dam that is to be started in a span of just one year which is unprecedented in Pakistan’s history.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman WAPDA stated that the project will go a long way for economic development and social uplift of the country. He reiterated that WAPDA is committed to complete this mega project in accordance with the stipulated timelines to cope with the increasing water and electricity requirement in the country. Diamer Basha Dam Project, with a total financial outlay of about Rs. 1406.5 billion, will be completed in 2028. The total financial outlay includes land acquisition, resettlement, confidence building measures for social uplift of the locals, construction of dam and power houses. The Project has a storage capacity of 6.4 million acre feet (MAF) and power generation capacity of 4500 megawatt (MW), with annual generation of 18.1 billion units of electricity per annum.
Chinese Ambassador Mr. Yao Jing, Pakistan Army Engineer-in-Chief Lt Gen Moazzam Ejaz and Power China Chairman Mr. Yan Zhi Yong also expressed their views during the ceremony.
It is pertinent to mention that WAPDA has already awarded contract of Rs. 27.182 billion, for consultancy services of the project to Diamer Basha Consultants Group (DBCG). The consultancy agreement includes construction design, construction supervision and contract administration of Diamer Basha Dam Project.
The JV DBCG comprises of 12 top-ranked national and international consulting firms namely NESPAK (Pakistan), Associate Consulting Engineers(Pakistan), Mott MacDonald Pakistan (Pakistan), Poyry (Switzerland), Montgomery Watson and Harza (MWH) International – Stantec (USA), Dolsar Engineering (Turkey), Mott McDonald International (England), China Water Resources Beifang Investigation, Design and Research Company (China), Mirza Associates Engineering Services (Pakistan), Al-Kasib Group of Engineering Services (Pakistan), Development Management Consultant (Pakistan) and MWH Pakistan (Pakistan) with NESPAK as the lead firm. These firms have a vast experience of providing consultancy services for mega water projects the world over.
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Federal Minister of Water Resources chaired a high level meeting
Islamabad June 26th, 2019:
This was the crux of an annual coordination session of the federal and provincial authorities held on Wednesday, 26th June 2019, under Federal Flood Commission, Ministry of Water Resources to review preparedness for 2019-Monsoon Season.
The meeting presided over by the Minister for Water Resources, Muhammad Faisal Vawda, noted with concern that the encroachments in the river waterways besides major Nullahs by the public masses in Provinces are so frequent and in such magnitude that even the low floods create havoc in the communities the recent example of this is the case of 105,000 cusecs outflow from Jhelum River at Mangla. He urged the provinces and federal line agencies for prompt approval of their respective Flood Plain management Acts and their strict enforcement to prevent the encroachment in the waterways on permanent basis.
Head, Flood Forecasting Division, PMD, Lahore apprised the meeting that this year’s monsoon rains will be normal with above normal rains expected in Northern Areas (GB, KP, Punjab, AJ&K) which coupled with westerly incursion and snow melt may result into an extreme flood event.
The meeting expressed dissatisfaction over the late submission of priority flood protection projects by the provincial governments and hence their late implementation. The Secretary Ministry of Water Resources urged the provinces and federal agencies for timely submission of PC-Is of emergent nature flood protection projects being funded through the federal Government PSDP so that their timely approval and implementations can be ensured in the best public interest towards protection from floods.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Muhammad Ashraf, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Ahmed Kamal, Chief Engineering Adviser & Chairman Federal Flood Commission and other senior officials of the related federal and provincial government organizations, including representative from Pak Army to discuss all issues related to 2019 flood preparedness.
All the stakeholders briefed the meeting on pre-emptive measures taken to minimize the effects of damages in the event of occurrence of floods. The Federal Minister for Water Resources, Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda directed all concerned to remain vigilant with reinforced and round-the-clock coordination throughout the monsoon season. Meeting was further informed that PMD’s and WAPDA’s related equipments are fully functional.
WASA Rawalpindi and District Government, Rawalpindi were directed for the complete clearing of Lai Nullah beds/ sides at critical locations from waste material dumped by the locals and also removal of encroachment at different places in compliance with the early warning system installed.
In view of forecast of rains and expected urban flooding, the provinces were advised to be fully vigilant and clear all storm drains in cities and towns especially in cities like Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad etc.
Prediction of Widespread Rain
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a press release that a strong rain bearing system is likely to grip southern parts of the country on Friday, March 01, 2019 and may persist in upper parts till Monday, March 04, 2019 (morning). Under the influence of this weather system:
- Widespread rain-thunderstorm (with few moderate to isolated heavy falls & snowfall over the hills) with strong gusty winds also expected in Punjab from Friday, March 01, 2019 (night) to Monday, March 04, 2019 (morning). Heavy falls may cause flash flooding in hill torrents of DG Khan from Friday (evening/night) to Saturday.
In this connection, a notification from Punjab Disaster Management Authority on February 26, 2019 has been issued.
Visit of Australian High Commissioner HE Ms Margret Adamson
Islamabad December 20th, 2018:
Australian High Commissioner HE Ms Margret Adamson called on the Secretary, Water Resources to discuss the future steps for implementation of actions agreed in the MoU on Water Resources Management. Both the sides agreed to share with each other nominees for constituting the Joint Advisory Committee and work out Annual Work Plan to achieve the objectives set out in the MOU.
The Australian High Commissioner informed that the Australian Experts from Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) will be visiting Pakistan during early next year which will engage with provincial Agriculture departments and also with the Ministry of Water Resources.
Visit of Task Team Leader – WCAP
Islamabad October 24th, 2018:
Dr. William Young, Visiting Task Team Leader, World Bank had a meeting with Syed Muhammad Mehr Ali Shah, Joint Secretary (Water)/Project Director (WCAP) to review the progress of Water Sector Capacity Building and Advisory Services Project (WCAP).
MOU on Water Resources Management signed between Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Government of Australia
Islamabad September 18th, 2018:
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Water Resources Management between Islamic Republic of Pakistan andGovernment of Australia has been signed on 18-09-2018 by Mr. Shamail Ahmad Khawaja, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and H.E. Margaret Adamson, High Commissioner of Australia to Pakistan. The activities envisaged in this document of cooperation will open new horizons of cooperation between the two countries, particularly to improve Water Resources Management inter-alia in the following areas:
- River Basin Management (including basin planning, hydrology and hydrometeorology and ground water management);
- Water for Food and Agriculture;
- Water for Energy (including water for hydropower and industry);
- Water for Cities (including design for water sensitive cities);
- Water for the Environment (including healthy rivers, environmental flows, natural infrastructure and ecosystem maintenance);
- Water-related policy and institutional evolution, gender, valuing water, water use efficiency, watershed and water quality management, river/reservoir sediment management, rain-water harvesting, water situation & reuse of
waste-water, water data, water sharing/allocation, addressing water insecurity, water infrastructure financing, private sector engagement, and public-private partnerships; - Drinking water (including aspects of drinking water quality) and other domains of co-operation as may be mutually approved;
- Riverine, flash and urban flood management;
- Early warning system related to natural disasters associated to hydro-meteorological/extreme climate events;
Establishment of PM -CJ Fund for Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dam
Islamabad September 9th, 2018: The Prime Minister has been pleased to call for public donations for Prime Minister – Chief Justice fund for Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dam. The funds details are as under:
Bank: State Bank of Pakistan
Account Name: SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN
Account No: 03-593-299999-001-4
IBAN: PK06SBPP0035932999990014
Online link for Donation: Please Click here
Ref:Prime Minister’s Office Letter No.11(9)/2018-Admn Dated 9th September,2018
Ministry of Water Resources to Donate Money from their salaries for Construction of Dams
Islamabad July 11th, 2018: Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s initiative regarding contribution toward Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams Fund the officers and staff of Ministry of Water Resources and office of Chairman Federal Flood Commission in a meeting under the chairmanship of Secretary Ministry of Water Resources decided to volunteer following humble contribution:
- Secretary, Water Resources volunteered to contribute his 15-day pay.
- All the officers (BS-17 & above) of the Ministry and the Federal Flood Commission volunteered to contribute their 3-day pay.
- The staff members (BS-1 to 16) of the Ministry and the Federal Flood Commission will contribute their 1-day salary toward the fund.
ECNEC APPROVED MOHMAND DAM HYDROPOWER PROJECT
Islamabad April 26th, 2018: The ECNEC in its meeting held on 26 April 2018 approved Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project at a total cost of Rs. Rs. 309.558 billion including FEC component of Rs. 71.548 billion.
The Secretary Ministry of Water Resources Mr. Shamail Ahmad Khawaja apprised the forum about the Project’s financing plan according to which the cost of dam attributable to water sector and agricultural benefits is Rs. 114,285 million which will require funding from the Federal PSDP as a grant whereas the remaining amount of the project which is Rs. 195.273 billion for power generation component will be arranged in the form of WAPDA’s equity and local and foreign commercial financing.
The forum chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan approved the project according to the above stated financing strategy.
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Sr. No. |
Item |
Quantity |
|
1. |
Catchment Area |
13,650 km2 |
|
2. |
Dam Type |
Concrete Faced Rock-fill Dam (CFRD) |
|
3. |
Dam Height |
203 m |
|
4. |
Design Flood |
968,575 cusec |
|
5. |
Live Storage |
0.676 MAF |
|
6. |
Installed Capacity |
800 MW |
|
7. |
Annual Energy |
2,862 GWh |
|
8. |
Plant Factor |
40.84% |
|
9. |
Irrigation BenefitsLeft Bank Right Bank |
9,013 acre; (through 116 cusec canal) 7,716 acre; (through 116 cusec canal) |
|
10. |
Drinking Water for Peshawar |
460 cusec capacity for water supply |
|
11. |
Implementation Period |
86 months, including 12 months for Defect Liability Period (DLP) and further 6 months for closure of the project |