JOIN USBhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) on Thursday said it would cut down water release by 10-20 per cent to partnering states including Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan if rainfall fails or remains low within a week time.
“Today, we have kept the (water release to partnering states) same. Now they (states) have agreed that if there is no rain within a week time, then 10-20 per cent deduction (in water release) may be there depending upon the rain. If there is absolutely low rain fall, the deduction will be more. In case rainfall is there deduction may be less or may not be there,” BBMB Chairman A B Agrawal told reporters here on Thursday after holding a review meeting with representatives of partnering states.
At present, BBMB is releasing 29,500 cusecs from Bhakra dam and 15,900 cusecs from Pong dam to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan which require water for irrigation of Kharif crops.
The inflow of water into Bhakra dam as on Thursday stands at 33,000 cusecs against 34,700 on the same day last year, he said and added that the water inflow into Pong dam was lower 30-50 per cent in last few days.
However, he said the requirement of water by partnering states was being fully met.