The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) on Thursday asked Punjab to remain alert in case “excess” water is released from Bhakra and Pong dams in the wake of “heavy” inflow of water into reservoirs.
“We have asked Punjab to stay alert in case excess water is released into Sutlej and Beas rivers,” an official of BBMB said.
Alert was sounded to Punjab during a Technical Committee Meeting (TCM) which was held on Thursday to review the water situation. The meeting was attended by representatives of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
The water level in both Bhakra and Pong dams was higher than what it was on the corresponding day of last year.
Bhakra reservoir on Thursday recorded water level of 1,639.88 feet, which is 6.66 feet more than what it was on the same day last year. Pong dam, on the other hand, recorded water level of 1,354 feet which is 29.56 feet more than the level recorded on the corresponding day of last year.
The water level in both dams rose because of rains in its catchment areas and snow melting, the official said.
Water inflow into Bhakra was 69,000 cusecs as against 42,000 cusecs last year. In Pong dam, the water inflow was 36,000 cusecs as against 15,500 cusecs in corresponding period last year.
The water outflow from Bhakra was 40,000 cusecs as against 25,500 cusecs while water outflow from Pong dam was 3,600 cusecs in comparison to 12,000 cusecs last year.
Punjab Chief Engineer (Canals) SS Grewal said that he had asked Chief Engineer (Drainage) to remain in touch with the BBMB authorities in connection with water release.
“I have written a letter to Chief Engineer (Drainage) to remain in touch with BBMB authorities to keep a tab on water level in rivulets. In case, water level is high in rivulets then water release from dams can be regulated in order to check any damage,” said Grewal.