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Journalism of Courage
The Public Action Committee (PAC), a collective of civil society groups working on environmental issues in Punjab, has demanded a high-level and independent inquiry to ascertain whether a human error at the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) triggered the floods in Punjab since August 16. It also cited data on the inflow, outflow and water levels at major dams and said it raised serious concerns.
In its letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Raj Kumar Singh, the PAC quoted a report from The Indian Express titled ‘Punjab floods: wake-up call that went unheeded | Dam authorities could’ve released water earlier but didn’t, says officer; BBMB head denies claim’ and said the committee has been “watching the flood situation in Punjab closely and we have been monitoring the data for inflow, outflow and water levels of major dams that affect Punjab.”
It went on to say, “We analysed the Bhakra and Pong Dam data for the period 01 Aug 2023 – 17 Aug 2023 (the date till which it is available online as of now) from the online report titled Real Time Reservoir Information. There was extremely worrying increase in inflows from 12 Aug onwards in both Bhakra and Pong dams and no real corresponding increase in outflows despite high water levels in both the dams.”
The PAC said that meanwhile the outflow at Pong was reduced to around 18,000 cusecs from a much higher level just a few days back. “The trend between 12 Aug 2023 and 16 Aug 2023 indicates towards what looks like a grave human error of judgment at best or much worse a lackadaisical and inept handling of the situation by BBMB decision makers. The situation that was allowed to develop till 16 Aug apparently led to a sudden panic increase of outflows to 83,000 cusecs and 1,40,000 cusecs from Bhakhra and Pong respectively on 16 Aug morning which led to much higher volumes of water in Sutlej and Beas causing extensive breaches and flooding at various places in Punjab,” the PAC alleged.
“It is clear that the 1660 level was already crossed at the beginning of the month amid strong inflows. The outflow was kept at around 41,000 cusecs till 14 August. This begs a question as to why the outflow could not be maintained between say 45,000 and 60,000 cusecs from early August when it was clear that inflows were high and entire month of rainy season was remaining? Even when the inflow actually increased to 72387.00 cusecs by 12 Aug the outflow was still kept at 41,857.00 and the water level in the Gobind Sagar lake was allowed to cross 1,669 feet. On 13 Aug inflow increased further to 76,429.00 but outflow was again not increased and Bhakhra level crossed 1,671 feet.”
It said that on August 14 and 15, “there were much higher inflows beyond 1 lakh cusecs but it was only then that the outflow was slightly increased. The Bhakhra level had crossed 1,678 levels by then and then all of sudden on 16 Aug 83,703 cusecs was released and this trend was continued on the next day also.”
The PAC pointed out that the situation at Pong dam was worse. “From Aug 1 to Aug 10 the trend is very normal and the outflows match inflows to maintain the level of the dam at around 1,373 levels. Then on 11 Aug the outflow is decreased to 18,000 cusecs when inflow actually increased to 43,000 cusecs. Then the inflows started increasing exponentially and went up to 2 lakh cusecs in the following three days between 12 – 14 Aug and the water level touched 1,388 feet but the outflow was kept restricted below 18,000 cusecs. Then on 15 Aug the outflow was increased to 87,000 cusecs and on 16 Aug to 1,40,000 cusecs and similar trend continued the next day as well. We therefore request you to constitute a team of independent experts for the same,” it demanded.
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