In order to ascertain what the state of affairs will be in the rabi, the statistics obtained on the Lower Chenab Canal were examined. These show that the rabi duty at the distributary heads on that canal is 206 acres. On the Upper Bari Doab Canal the duty at the distributary heads is 263 acres, but 11 per cent. of the area receives only “first waterings.” The duty based on the remaining area is 234 acres. But the above duties are only attained by running higher supplies in October and March than during the intervening four months of the crop. The following remarks and figures are taken from the Report on the Project Estimates:—
“The statistics of working of distributaries of the Chenab and Bari Doab Canals give the average discharges shown in the following table for the three years ending with 1903-04. The losses by absorption are calculated on the wetted areas for the different rotational periods. The average discharge less absorption is the supply which reached the heads of the distributaries.
CHENAB CANAL.
| Particulars. | Period. | Aver- age. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1st-15th | October 16th-31st | No- vember | De- cember | January. | February | March. | ||
| Cusecs. | Cusecs. | Cusecs. | Cusecs. | Cusecs. | Cusecs. | Cusecs. | Cusecs. | |
| Average supply entering head of canal | 10,196 | 10,285 | 7,788 | 5,593 | 5,127 | 5,500 | 6,603 | 6,809 |
| Deduct absorption | 1,633 | 1,633 | 1,250 | 1,053 | 1,032 | 1,171 | 1,433 | 1,262 |
| Supply at distributary heads for 1,155,685 acres, the average Bari area | 8,563 | 8,652 | 6,538 | 4,510 | 4,095 | 4,329 | 5,170 | 5,546 |
| Proportional supply for 1,164,595 acres | 8,631 | 8,721 | 6,590 | 4,576 | 4,128 | 4,364 | 5,211 | 5,591 |
| Add absorption for new projects | 3,414 | 3,414 | 2,139 | 2,139 | 2,139 | 2,139 | 3,414 | 2,564 |
| Supply required for new projects at heads of canals | 12,045 | 12,035 | 8,729 | 6,715 | 6,267 | 6,503 | 8,625 | 8,155 |
“The average discharge given by the third line is 5,546, and the average area being 1,155,685 acres, the duty at the heads of distributaries was 208.
“The area 1,164,595 is the perennial rabi irrigation of the new projects, the area 156,424 acres, receiving only first waterings, being omitted to admit of a fair comparison, and is only 1 per cent. under the average attained on the Chenab Canal in the three years for which the table is prepared.
“The absorption added for the two first periods is on the supposition that all the canals are open throughout October and March, tatilling[46] with an average absorption loss of 2,139 cusecs[47] being in force during the other four months. The last line of the table shows the average Rabi discharge required by the new projects at the heads of canals, inclusive of all losses calculated on the Chenab Canal basis of a duty of 208 acres per cusec obtained at the heads of distributaries.
[46] “Tátíl” is the Indian word for rotational closure.
[47] “Cusec” is used in India for c. ft. per second.
“The Bari Doab Canal statistics furnish the means of the adequacy of available supply being gauged. The following table furnishes particulars for the average supply of water entering the head of the canal for the five years 1898-99, 1899-1900, 1901-02, 1902-03, 1903-04. The figures for the year 1900-01 are omitted, as it was a very abnormal one of very plenteous supply and heavy rainfall:—