Water & power availability from BBMB hit
July 18, 2012
By Vinod Gupta
CHANDIGARH: From one extreme to the other,last year it was spillage and this year water is being conserved by Bhakra Beas management Board (BBMB) to meet irrigation demand.

The water level in Bhakra reservoir is 1551.63 feet which is 62 feet below the last year level of 1612.28 feet. Similarly Pong reservoir level is 1291.86 feet against water level of 1335.35 feet on the corresponding day last year. The water level in Ranjit Sagar Dam reservoir is also down by more than 7 meters.

BBMB yesterday reduced the water discharge from canals by 10 % with the consent of partner state in view of low water level in its reservoirs. This year water level in Bhakra and Pong reservoir is more than 60 feet below the corresponding water level last year on same day.

The water level in Bhakra reservoir is 1551.63 feet which is 62 feet below the last year level of 1612.28 feet. Similarly Pong reservoir level is 1291.86 feet against water level of 1335.35 feet on the corresponding day last year. The water level in Ranjit Sagar Dam reservoir is also down by more than 7 meters.

The impact of low water levels is also being felt on generation front. Punjab is getting reduced power this year by 40 lac units. The prediction that the monsoon is below normal is a major cause of worry for partner states. The scanty rains in the catchment areas of reservoirs are not good news for BBMB.

Paddy transplantation in Punjab and Haryana may be hit this year with fewer water supplies from Bhakra canals. Water supply to Rajasthan may also be hit in winter months.

THE total BBMB generation is 389 lac units which includes 178 lac units from Bhakra and canal power houses, 59 lac units from pong power house. Last year BBMB achieved its generation targets easily with 11 months.

Today Punjab is getting share of about 140 lac units from BBMB while it was getting 180 lac units last year on same day. The power demand in Punjab continues to be more than 2150 lac units with power shortage of about 280 lac units. The general industry is facing weekly one day off while furnace industries are on two days weekly off.