Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has called a meeting of partnering states - Punjab Haryana and Rajasthan - on July 28 to review the situation on water release due to decreased water level in Bhakra and Pong reservoirs after "deficient" rains.
The three states get water from Bhakra and Pong dams for various purposes including irrigation.
The inflow of water in Bhakra was much lower at 19,957 cusecs as against inflow of 59,118 cusecs last year and water level at the dam today stood at 1,634.45 feet, which was 8.83 feet less as compared to last year.
According to an official of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), the situation was "worrisome" in case of Pong dam, as water level was 1,324.76 feet, which was 30.94 feet short by the level it had in the corresponding period last year.
Pong dam is dependent on rains in its catchment areas for filling up of its reservoir.
The outflow of water from Bhakra reservoir was 25,558 cusecs as against 36,367 cusecs last year while outflow from Pong dam was 14,006 cusecs as against 12,004 cusecs, the official said.
The power generation by power houses of BBMB is also lower by 19 per cent at 430 lakh units per day, official said.
Last year, BBMB power houses generated 529 lakh units a day on an average.
"As far as Pong dam is concerned, the situation is worrisome as the level this year is much lower against last year," Chief Engineer in Punjab Irrigation department, Amarjit Singh Dullet said.
He said the meeting of partnering states will be held on July 28 to review the situation.
Bhakra and Pong dams are to be filled up to a level of 1,680 feet and 1,390 feet respectively by September.
Notably, the water level in Bhakra and Pong dams last year remained exceptionally high because of heavy snow melting and rains.
