Low water storage prompts BBMB to urge caution in water demands

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has advised its member states to exercise caution when projecting their water demands due to low water storage levels and forecasts of below-normal rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that rainfall over North India will be 86 per cent below the long-period average from January to March 2025.

The water levels at Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej and Pong Dam on the Beas are currently at 43 per cent and 30 per cent of their total capacity, respectively, which is lower than the 10-year average for this time of year, according to data released by the Central Water Commission (CWC).

BBMB has informed its member states, including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, about the low water availability and advised them to adjust their demands accordingly.

“The widespread spells of rain and snow experienced in the region last week have helped to alleviate the situation to some extent and a couple of more weather events are expected over the next few days, but we need to plan ahead to avoid any difficulties,” said a senior BBMB functionary.

The inflow at Bhakra Dam was around 4,700 cusecs on January 3, while the outflow was 10,000 cusecs. At Pong Dam, the inflow and outflow were 2,600 cusecs and 13,000 cusecs, respectively.

IMD has forecast a wet spell over the western Himalayan region until January 7 and over the plains of northwest India on January 5 and 6, which may bring some relief to the region.