Water levels in Punjab, Himachal dams fall; Bhakra reservoir sole bright spot
Two dams crucial for Punjab – Ranjit Sagar Dam and Pong Dam – have much lower water levels this year compared to the corresponding period last year
2 min read
In Punjab, the sowing for the water-intensive paddy cultivation will start next month (Representational/Express Photo)Amid the unrelenting heatwave prevailing in northwest India over the last few days, recently released Central Water Commission (CWC) data on current water levels in dams have caused further worry in administrative circles in the region.
Two dams crucial for Punjab – Ranjit Sagar Dam and Pong Dam – have much lower water levels this year compared to the corresponding period last year.
The Ranjit Sagar Dam is only 31 per cent full as of May 24, compared to 51 per cent during the corresponding date last year. The water level at the Ranjit Sagar Dam on the River Ravi is 1,656.8 feet against last year’s 1,679.4 feet. The water inflow on Friday was 11,400 cusecs, while it was 11,800 cusecs on the corresponding date last year.
Whereas, the current storage (May 24) at Pong Dam is 1,317.8 feet – 14.7 feet lower than last year’s 1,332.5 feet. Only 26 per cent of the Pong Dam on River Beas in Himachal Pradesh is full – a good 10 per cent below last year’s 36 per cent on the corresponding date.
As per the CWC weekly report, the water level in the Bhakra reservoir is slightly higher this year. The Bhakra Dam is 24 per cent full this year, compared to 21 per cent last year (May 24). The increase in water level has been attributed to better inflow from rivers. The filling season at major dams in the region commenced on May 20, with the snow melting in the higher reaches.
These three dams alone have a combined irrigation potential of 10.24 lakh hectare and an installed hydropower generation capacity of 2,375 MW.
In Punjab, the sowing for the water-intensive paddy cultivation will start next month.
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