Chandigarh, March 29 — Water levels in key dams across Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are significantly below normal for this time of year, raising concerns over power generation and irrigation, the Central Water Commission (CWC) reported on March 27.
The combined water storage in Himachal Pradesh’s reservoirs is 46% below average, while Punjab’s is 52% lower. The situation is exacerbated by deficient rainfall in northwest India this season.
At Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej in Himachal Pradesh, the current water storage stands at 1.247 billion cubic metres (BCM), just 20% of its total capacity of 6.229 BCM. The 10-year average for this time of year is 33%.
Similarly, Pong Dam on the Beas holds 0.816 BCM, accounting for only 13% of its capacity of 6.157 BCM, compared to the 10-year average of 25%.
In Punjab, Thein Dam on the Ravi is filled to just 20% of its 2.344 BCM capacity, far below the 10-year average of 41%, with water availability at 0.469 BCM.
The dams collectively have a hydel power generation capacity of 3,175 megawatts (MW) and an irrigation potential of 10,24,000 hectares, serving Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Chandigarh.
Meanwhile, rainfall deficits have worsened the situation. Punjab recorded only 7.6 mm of rain between March 1 and 28, 65% below the long-period average of 21.5 mm, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Himachal Pradesh reported a 28% rainfall deficit in the same period.
