Relief for region’s farmers as dams full despite deficient rain

Arun Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ropar, August 31

The farming community in Punjab can relax as despite deficient monsoon in the region, the reservoirs at the three dams that feed the state’s canals are almost full to capacity.

The vast network of canals, considered the lifeline of Punjab’s agricultural economy, draws its water from the Bhakra (on the Sutlej), Pong (Beas) and Ranjit Sagar (Ravi) dams. Apart from Punjab, neighbouring Haryana and Rajasthan also receive a substantial amount of water from these reservoirs. 

Bhakra Beas Management Board Member (Irrigation) SK Sharma said water level at these dams was nearing capacity even as the filling-period deadline was 20 days away. “We are in a very comfortable position. There will be no shortage of supply for irrigation or drinking purpose,” he said.

More than 1.5 crore acres of land — 77 lakh acres in Punjab, 53 lakh acres in Rajasthan and 22 lakh acres in Haryana — is irrigated with water from these reservoirs. This year, the inflow of water at these dams has remained on the higher side compared to the concurrent period last year. At Bhakra, the inflow stood at 33,297 cusecs against 22,492 cusecs in 2014. The outflow was recorded at 23,500 cusecs, against 25,800 last year.

At Pong, the inflow was 13,289 cusecs, more than the double of 6,060 cusecs last year. The outflow last year was 16,044 cusecs, compared to 11,207 cusecs this year.

At Ranjit Sagar, also called the Thein dam, the inflow today stood at 11,598 cusecs, against 5,680 last year. The outflow was recorded at 16,819 cusecs, compared to 17,307 cusecs in 2014.

Bhakra officials said due to better inflow this year, there were chances that the dams would be filled to capacity even before the September 20 deadline.