Water level in Bhakra almost touches 40-yr old level

With rains lashing the country's northern parts, water level in Bhakra dam has almost touched its 40-year old mark.
Water level in Bhakra dam today went up to 1,626.14 feet, which is the second highest from the level it registered 40 years ago during corresponding period, an official of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) told PTI.
"Bhakra reservoir had previously witnessed highest water level of 1,628.74 feet on July 5 in 1973. After this, today's 1,626.14 feet is the highest level in last 40 years (as on July 8)," the official said.
"The level has been rising by 1 to 2 feet every day in the Bhakra reservoir because of rains in its catchment areas and melting of snow in the hills," he said.

Current level in Bhakra dam is now whopping a 83 feet up from the level of 1,543.09 feet registered on corresponding day of last year, the official said.
Even in the past 15 years, level of Bhakra crossed 1,600 feet just thrice on July 7, but far less than what it is now, as per data available with the BBMB.

Since start of the filling period this year, water level in Bhakra reservoir continued to remain up by several feet from last year's level. Filling period of Bhakra reservoir starts on May 21 and continues till September 20.
Last year, because of delayed and deficient monsoon, water level remained low in Bhakra reservoir and its filling season ended with a level of 1,657 feet, much lower than its filling capacity of 1,680 feet.

Water inflow in Bhakra reservoir, which is constructed across Sutlej river, remained 73,000 cusecs while outflow stood at 36,400 cusecs, BBMB officials said.
The level of water in Pong dam has also risen sharply this season as the reservoir recorded level of 1,335.47 feet today, which is about 44 feet more than what it was on corresponding day of last year.
"Water level in Pong dam has increased because of rains in its catchment areas and has risen 4 feet in the last 24 hours," an official informed.
Because of rains, inflow in Pong dam has also gone up to 1.08 lakh cusecs, he said.

Besides, BBMB uses water to produce energy which also goes to partnering states and generates 10,000 to 14,000 million units of power per annum.