Bhakra, pong dams level falling down drastically

DP CORRESPONDENT

Chandigarh

The delayed monsoon has started showing its effects with the water inflow in Bhakra and Pong dams falling down drastically. If the dry spell continued for another two days, the situation could become alarming.

The present water level in Bhakra was 32,000 cusecs against 46,800 cusecs during the corresponding period last year while the water inflow in Pong

dam was 5,200 cusecs, which was more than three times less than the inflow of 18,400 cusecs it had received

during this period last year.

Monitoring the situation, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) is likely to hold an emergency meeting with Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to review the further release of water for irrigation purposes to these partnering states.

Confirming that the situation was continuously being monitored, the BBMB officials said if no rainfall was reported in the northern region or the catchment areas of Bhakra and Pong dams for another two days, they will have to consider holding an emergency meeting with the partnering states.

Otherwise, the Technical Committee Meeting (TCM), in which representatives of partnering states participate, was held during the last week of every

month to decide about release of water to partnering states for irrigation

purposes.

At the meeting held in June, the BBMB had agreed to release water to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan as per their requirements.

While Punjab was getting the lion’s share of about 26,000 cusecs water, Rajasthan and Haryana were receiving11,000 cusecs and 10,000 cusecs water, respectively.

However, the officials maintained that the present situation was totally under control and there was no reason to panic as yet.