To check floods, water bodies to be created along Ghaggar

In an ambitious plan to harness the water of the rain-fed Ghaggar, the Punjab Water Resources Department is constructing at least nine large water bodies along the river.

To begin with, a 20-acre site at Chando village, Sangrur, has been identified for a 40-foot-deep water reservoir, according to officials aware of the development. Other sites are being identified in coordination with the revenue authorities.

Every year, the Ghaggar wreaks havoc on thousands of acres of agricultural land and damages properties in hundreds of villages across Mohali, Patiala, Mansa and Sangrur districts, due to breaches in its embankments and overflowing of water at various places.

“We have written to the DCs to identify sites for water bodies. These will not only store water for irrigation purposes, but also help panchayats to earn revenue by selling silt etc. These can be used for tourism purposes too,” said a senior government functionary in the Water Resources Department.

These water bodies would be connected with irrigation canals so that the water could be used for irrigation. Water table recharging structures would also be created there.

The swollen Ghaggar caused floods, damaged crops and infrastructure in 1993, 2004, 2014, 2019 and 2023. Though the river has the capacity to carry up to 1.5 lakh cusecs of water, the volume during floods reaches up to 3 lakh cusecs.

With a total length of 370 km — 170 km falling in Mohali and Patiala districts — the Ghaggar originates in the foothills of the Shivaliks. As it meanders through the state, its section reduces, causing it overflow and break the embankments at different places. Its major tributaries are Sukhna Choe, Jhirmil Nadi, Pachidara Nala, Patiala Nadi, Tangri and Markanda rivers.