Bhakra, Pong Dams Run Low Ahead of Rabi Season, Wheat Irrigation at Riskਭਾਖੜਾ-ਪੌਂਗ ਡੈਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਣੀ ਘਟਿਆ, ਕਣਕ ਦੀ ਸਿੰਚਾਈ ਨੂੰ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਚਿੰਤਾ

Water levels in the Bhakra and Pong dams are well below last year's, raising worries about irrigation for wheat in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan as the rabi season begins, Amar Ujala reported on Tuesday. The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has asked the states to keep their demand low.

How low are Bhakra and Pong?

Amar Ujala reported that Bhakra is about 38 feet and Pong about 22 feet lower than at this time last year. Bhakra stood at roughly 1,632 feet against about 1,670 feet a year ago. The Central Electricity Authority's daily reservoir report for October 22 shows the same picture for Bhakra: 1,632.55 feet now, against 1,671.65 feet on the same day last year.

Inflow has also dropped. Amar Ujala said Bhakra is receiving about 8,500 cusecs, compared with 12,759 cusecs a year earlier. Officials said Bhakra's level is normally not drawn below 1,505 feet and Pong's not below 1,300 feet.

Why does it matter for wheat?

Wheat and other rabi crops are sown from November 1 through December, when demand for canal water rises. Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan have already sent their demands to the BBMB, which has appealed to them to keep requests modest so irrigation does not suffer later, Amar Ujala reported.

The Telegraph reported that Punjab and Rajasthan are particularly exposed, with monsoon rainfall deficits of 38 per cent and 22 per cent and below-normal reservoir storage at the end of September. Wheat needs several irrigations after sowing, so poor moisture can delay planting and cut yields, it noted.

What else could be affected?

The drop in levels could also affect drinking-water supply and power generation, Amar Ujala said. The BBMB had already flagged low Bhakra levels in late September, according to Hindustan Times.

What happens next?

The BBMB must now balance the three states' rabi demands against limited storage and falling inflow. Final allocations had not been announced in the reports reviewed.

How much lower is the Bhakra dam than last year?

About 38 feet lower, at roughly 1,632 feet against about 1,670 feet a year ago, according to Amar Ujala and the Central Electricity Authority's October 22 report.

When does wheat sowing start in Punjab?

The rabi sowing window runs from November 1 into December, and irrigation demand rises through it.

What has the BBMB asked states to do?

It has appealed to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to keep their water demand low so that rabi irrigation is not hit later.