Water levels in Bhakra, Pong dam reservoirs low: BBMB

Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has warned its partnering states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan that the water levels in Bhakra and Pong dam reservoirs are running low, an official said today.

The board has asked the three states to make the best use of monsoon for irrigation and other purposes. Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan get water from the two dams for their water needs.

Pointing to the "grim" picture of the shortage, a BBMB official said the water levels in Pong and Bhakra were lower by 36.88 feet and 77.2 feet respectively compared to the storage on the same day last year.

Inflows in river Sutlej from March 1 to July 10 were 46 per cent lower compared to the last year and eight per cent less than the "driest" year of 2004, the official said.

"From March 1 to July 19, Bhakra reservoir received 9,93,247 cusec days less inflows compared to the same period during the last year. Similarly, Pong reservoir too received 5,18,065 cusec days less inflows for the same period," he said.

The inflows in Pong and Bhakra today were 80 per cent and 38 per cent less as compared to the same day last year, he added.

Considering the "critical" situation, the BBMB has requested Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to conserve and utilise monsoon water to the maximum possible extent so that water can be saved in reservoirs for utilisation during the coming depletion period starting from September 21, the official said.

It has asked partnering states to issue advisories to all stake holders to use available monsoon rain water optimally and judiciously.

Notably, the water inflow has been lesser this year because of decrease in snow melting caused by low temperatures prevailing over upper Himalayas, the official said.