The delayed monsoon has led to low water level in Punjab’s dams, in the wake of lesser inflow of water as compared to the previous year.

As per the figures available, the water level at Bhakra dam reservoirs on July 11 the previous year was at 1,593.23 feet with water inflow recorded at 50,436 cusecs. This year, the water level on the corresponding day is recorded at 1,538.30 feet with water inflows of 39,199 cusecs.

The current water level in Bhakra dam is 54.93 feet less than the previous year on the same day. Notably, Bhakra dam can hold water up to 1,680 feet and the minimum reservoir level is 1,462 feet.

According to the previous records, the water level in Bhakra dam reservoirs touches 1,630 to 1,640 feet mark by the end of July, however, it was lagging behind this year in the wake of insufficient rainfall in the catchment area.

Similarly, the water level at Ranjit Sagar dam reservoirs was at 511.61 feet on July 11, 2020; which is 14.57 feet higher than this year’s level of 497.04 feet. The low water level can be attributed to low water inflow. On July 11, 2020, the water inflow was 13,473 cusecs, but this year, on the same day, it is 9,134 cusecs.

Ranjit Sagar dam’s maximum reservoir level is 527.91 metres but the permissible limit or reservoir level is at 487.00 metres.

Likewise, the water level in Pong dam reservoir was at 1335.05 feet the previous year (July 11, 2020) against 1278.12 feet (July 11, 2021). The inflow of water in Pong dam was 17,735 cusecs in 2020, whereas it’s 11,444 cusecs on the corresponding day this year.

Pong dam’s level is 56.93 feet less than the previous year, against the maximum height of Pong dam is 1,390 feet and minimum height is 1260 feet.

“The low level at reservoirs also has an impact on electricity generation also. With low outflow of water, less electricity will be generated. Punjab gets 100 percent electricity share from Ranjit Sagar dam and Pong dam, whereas electricity generated from Bhakra dam is distributed amongst partner states,” said a PSPCL officer.