DUSHANBE, July 23, 2008, Asia-Plus -- Situation at the Norak reservoir remain critical; water levels at the reservoir are currently at the level of 885.45 meters, which is 10.21 meters lower than in the same period of last year, the Minister of Land Reclamation and Water Resources Said Yoqubzod announced at a press conference in Dushanbe on July 22.   

“Therefore the Norak reservoir now has 8.1778 billion cubic meters of water against last year’s 9.071 billion cubic meters,” the minister said, attributing that to this year’s dry spring.  

According to him, such a situation will affect electricity supplies in the winter.  “We cannot change the present situation essentially; however, taking necessary measures, we can avoid the threat of the critical situation during winter months,” Yoqubzod said.  

He also noted that because of late sowing campaign they have used water for irrigation this year two times more than usual, using 6 liters of per one square meter against usual 3 liters.