BBMB asks Punjab to remain alert if excess water released

Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) today asked Punjab to remain alert in case "excess" water is released from Bhakra and Pong dams in the wake of "heavy" inflow of water into reservoirs.
"We have asked Punjab to stay alert in case excess water is released into Sutlej and Beas rivers," a senior official of BBMB said here today.
Alert was sounded to Punjab during a Technical Committee Meeting (TCM) which was held here today to review the water situation.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
The water level in both Bhakra and Pong dams was higher than what it was on the corresponding day of last year.

Bhakra reservoir today recorded water level of 1,639.88 feet, 6.66 feet more than what it was on the same day last year.

Pong dam recorded water level of 1,354 feet which is 29.56 feet more than the level recorded on the corresponding day of last year.
The water level in both dams rose because of rains in its catchment areas and snow melting, the official said.
Water inflow into Bhakra was 69,000 cusecs as against 42,000 cusecs last year. In Pong dam, the water inflow was 36,000 cusecs as against 15,500 cusecs in corresponding period last year.
The water outflow from Bhakra was 40,000 cusecs as against 25,500 cusecs while water outflow from Pong dam was 3,600 cusecs in comparison to 12,000 cusecs last year.

Punjab Chief Engineer (Canals) S S Grewal said that he had asked Chief Engineer (Drainage) to remain in touch with BBMB authorities in connection with the release of water.
"I have written a letter to Chief Engineer (Drainage) to remain in touch with BBMB authorities to keep a tab on water level in rivulets. In case, water level is high in rivulets then water release from dams can be regulated in order to check any damage," said Grewal.
Bhakra and Pong dams are to be filled up to a level of 1,680 feet and 1,390 feet respectively by September.
With better position of water level in reservoirs this year, BBMB had already assured partnering states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan that it will release water as per their requirements for irrigation and drinking purposes.

Partnering states meet their water requirement for different purposes including irrigation from Bhakra and Pong dams.