Bhakra to cut down water supply

Chandigarh: In the wake of delayed monsoon, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) on Thursday decided to cut down the supply of water for irrigation to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan by 6,000 cusecs till July 10.

After holding a crucial meeting with representatives of all these states, BBMB has decided to supply 22,000 cusecs against the current supply of 28,000 cusecs, a move that would help raise the water level in Bhakra reservoir which has been fast depleting due to lack of rains.

"The states of Punjab, HP, Haryana and Rajasthan have agreed to our decision (of supplying 22,000 cusecs) and this decision will remain enforced till July 10," BBMB Chairman, U C Misra told reporters on Thursday after the meeting.

"States were demanding 28,000 cusecs of water in view of the paddy sowing season but when we pointed out the grim situation they all agreed to receive 22,000 cusecs of water supply," he said.

However, in case there are no rains till July 10, the release of water would be further curtailed.

"We want that water level in Bhakra reservoir should rise as June to September are a filling period for us and we want to store maximum level of water in this period," he said.

Misra further said that due to melting of snow in mountains, the availability of water inflow has improved to 32,000 cusecs from 22,000 cusecs and water level in Bhakra reservoir has increased by half a feet.

"Yesterday (Wednesday), water level in Bhakra was 1504.5 feet and now it has increased to 1505 feet with increased inflow of water," he added.

Last year, BBMB supplied 35000 cusecs of water to these states for irrigation.

Water level in the Bhakra Nangal Dam had been steadily falling over the past two weeks due to poor rainfall.

BBMB has also issued an alert to the five member states that benefit from the dam to be prepared for temporary closure of the dam in case the water level keeps receding.

The water level in Bhakra Nangal Dam has gone down to 1505 feet against the level of 1596 feet last year.

The dam not only generates electricity for many north Indian states but also provides water to irrigate 10-million acres of land in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The dam also supplies drinking water to several states in north India.