Amid the unrelenting heatwave prevailing in northwest India over the previous few days, not too long ago launched Central Water Fee (CWC) information on present water ranges in dams have brought about additional fear in administrative circles within the area.
Two dams essential for Punjab – Ranjit Sagar Dam and Pong Dam – have a lot decrease water ranges this 12 months in comparison with the corresponding interval final 12 months.
The Ranjit Sagar Dam is just 31 per cent full as of Could 24, in comparison with 51 per cent through the corresponding date final 12 months. The water stage on the Ranjit Sagar Dam on the River Ravi is 1,656.8 ft towards final 12 months’s 1,679.4 ft. The water influx on Friday was 11,400 cusecs, whereas it was 11,800 cusecs on the corresponding date final 12 months.
Whereas, the present storage (Could 24) at Pong Dam is 1,317.8 ft – 14.7 ft decrease than final 12 months’s 1,332.5 ft. Solely 26 per cent of the Pong Dam on River Beas in Himachal Pradesh is full – an excellent 10 per cent under final 12 months’s 36 per cent on the corresponding date.
As per the CWC weekly report, the water level in the Bhakra reservoir is slightly higher this year. The Bhakra Dam is 24 per cent full this 12 months, in comparison with 21 per cent final 12 months (Could 24). The rise in water stage has been attributed to raised influx from rivers. The filling season at main dams within the area commenced on Could 20, with the snow melting within the increased reaches.
These three dams alone have a mixed irrigation potential of 10.24 lakh hectare and an put in hydropower era capability of two,375 MW.
In Punjab, the sowing for the water-intensive paddy cultivation will begin subsequent month.