Bhakra reduces water supply to northern States

Monika | Chandigarh

Taking cognisance of the situation where monsoon is predicted to be late and below normal leading to spook of water and power crisis, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) on Thursday decided to curtail release of water from Bhakra-Pong dams to its partner States of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and also Chandigarh.

After holding a meeting with all the partner States to review the release of water considering the receding level in the Bhakra-Pong reservoirs, BBMB has decided to restrict the release from Bhakra dam to 22,000 cusecs and 6,000 cusecs from Pong against the previous figures of 28,000 cusecs from Bhakra.

BBMB authorities have assured all the States that the situation is under control. “There is no need to panic as the water level is gradually increasing,” said a senior BBMB official.

UC Mishra, chairman of BBMB said: “Seeing the major reduction in the Bhakra reservoir, we have decided to drop off 8,000 cusecs from there. In the case of Pong, we were releasing 5,000 cusecs before which is itself was a meagre figure and because the other States insisted, we resolved on providing 6000 cusecs for 10 days and after that will reduce it also to 3,000 or 4,000 cusecs if the situation remains the same.”

“We expect that till that time, the level will gradually rise due to snow melt and arrival of monsoon in the near future,” added Mishra.

He had already expressed worries over the depleting water level in the Bhakra-Pong dams because of the delayed monsoon and less snow melting and has also hinted to drop down the water supply to the partner States.

Mishra said: “All the States have agreed with our views and this decision will remain in force till July 10. Till then we hope the monsoon will arrive.” In case there are no rains till July 10, the release of water would be further curtailed.

He said: “The decisions taken in the meeting have started generating results as we have started saving water. The level of water has increased slightly less than one foot due to the increase in inflow because of snow melting.”

The water level of the Bhakra on Thursday was recorded at 1505.48 feet and that of the Pong dam 1275.06 feet against 1504.70 feet and 1275 feet respectively a day before.

VP Sharma, BBMB joint director, public relation said: “This is not a new thing that BBMB is facing, as it is quite usual. Because of the delayed monsoon, “we have faced similar situations many times in the past. The media has blown this issue out of proportion this time.”

He said the BBMB is fulfilling its basic purpose of providing water for irrigation. “Electricity generation is just the by-product of the process. Still there has been no reduction in the generation of electricity. Instead, we are generating more electricity these days,” Sharma added.

It was also decided to review and monitor the position by BBMB on regular basis and if any emergent decision regarding release from reservoirs is to be taken, the BBMB will take the decision after consultation with the partner States.