Heavy rain fills dams in Punjab, Himachal; set to boost irrigation and power supply

Contrary to the floods in Punjab, heavy rain in the hills have ensured ample water for power generation and irrigation across Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, as major dams have reached near full capacity at the end of the filling season.

The Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dam reservoirs are filled close to their maximum permissible limits this year, a significant improvement compared to last year.

The water levels in these dams are crucial for meeting irrigation and power demands in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. The filling season spans from June 1 to September 20.

A senior official from Punjab State Power Corporation Limited said adequate water levels would help meet power requirements during the peak winter season until the next filling season begins in May.

“Additionally, irrigation needs for crops in northern states will benefit from the optimum water supply,” he added.

At the end of the filling season, the Bhakra Dam water level stood at 1,677.56 feet, close to its 1,680 feet maximum limit set by BBMB. Pong Dam was at 1,393.27 feet, slightly above its 1,390 feet limit, while Ranjit Sagar Dam reached 524.61 meters (1,720.7 feet) against a safety limit of 527.91 meters (1,731.5 feet).

At the start of the season, these reservoirs had critically low levels: Bhakra at 1,563.80 feet, Pong at 1,296.35 feet, and Ranjit Sagar at 508.39 meters (1,667.5 feet). The hot June weather initially lowered levels further, but subsequent rainfall in Himachal Pradesh—180% of the normal—filled the dams to capacity.

Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh increased water levels in the Bhakra and Pong dams under BBMB and Ranjit Sagar Dam by mid-July. These dams collectively have an irrigation potential of 1,024 lakh hectares and an installed hydropower capacity of 2,375 MW.

Daily power generation peaked with Bhakra producing 315 lakh units, Ranjit Sagar 145 lakh units, and Pong Dam 85 lakh units. Notably, Pong Dam primarily supports irrigation in Rajasthan.

“With reduced inflow now in the reservoirs, power generation will decline and maximum generation at peak time when solar power is unavailable. Higher reservoir levels are good for better canal supply and generation”, says former power engineer VK Gupta.

“The maximum generation by all the three power houses was the only silver lining in an otherwise bleak scenario”, he added.

The maximum water storage allowed at the end of the filling season at Bhakra is 1680 feet, 1390 feet for Pong Dam reservoir and 1731.5 feet for Ranjit Sagar Dam reservoir.