Monsoon sluggish, Bhakra-Pong’s water level lowest in 5 years: Half of the Sawan has passed dry in Haryana-Punjab, people are troubled by the heat, lack of water in the canals due to the emptying of the dam; Chance of rain in a day or two

In Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh, this time the monsoon is dry. In more than 95% areas of Haryana and Punjab, water did not fall after August 3. Here only half the season has gone dry. In fact, the monsoon winds have weakened due to the western end of the turf line of the monsoon moving towards the foothills of the Himalayas after August 10. This has created a situation of monsoon break in Haryana. This time Punjab has received 22% less rainfall than the average, Chandigarh 38% and Himachal Pradesh 17% less than the average. The Bhakra and Pong dams, which are the biggest sources of water supply in these four states of North India, are lying vacant due to lack of rain in the upper reaches of Himachal.

The water level of Bhakra Dam stood at 1616.13 feet on August 18, while it was 1642.06 feet on the same day last year. The capacity of Bhakra Dam is 1685 feet. That is, this time the water in Bhakra Dam is 26.47 feet as compared to last year and 68 feet less than the maximum level. Similarly, the water level of Pong Dam stood at 1335.14 feet on 18th August, while it was 1356.5 feet on the same day last year. The capacity of Pong Dam is 1400 feet. That is, this time Pong Dam has 21.4 feet less water than last year and 64.09 feet less than the maximum level.

Lowest water in 5 years in Bhakra and Pong Dam

This is the first time in the last 5 years that despite the monsoon, both the dams are so empty. Due to low water level of Bhakra and Pong dams, full water is not being released in the canals. Due to this, there is a danger of drying up of crops in the canal water-dependent areas of Rajasthan, besides Haryana and Punjab. The worst situation is in southern Haryana.

Fazilka in Punjab receives the least rain
In Punjab from June 1 to August 18, the highest rainfall occurred in Pathankot district and the least in Fazilka. Pathankot received 773.3 mm of rain during this period, which is 7% more than normal (724.5 mm). At the same time, only 50.7 mm of water has fallen in Fazilka, which is 75% less than normal (199.8 mm). Talking about Chandigarh, against the normal 610.6mm of rain, only 381.4mm of rain has been received so far.

Jhajjar receives maximum rain in Haryana
This time the monsoon season in Haryana was completely unbalanced. In many districts, twice the average and in many districts only half the average rainfall has been received. This time Jhajjar district recorded the highest rainfall of 506 mm which was 98% more than the average (255 mm). Panchkula received 291MM of rain, 55% less than the average of 643MM. Sirsa received 12% more rainfall i.e. 170 mm against the average of 151 mm.

Apart from Kullu, the rest of the districts of Himachal have below average rainfall.
Despite a weak monsoon, Kullu district in Himachal has received 28 percent more rainfall than the average this time. Here 347.9 mm of average rain was estimated, while 446.2 mm of rain has been received so far. All other districts of Himachal have received below average rainfall. Lahaul-Spiti received just 90 mm of rain, which is 64% less than the average of 249 mm. In Chamba, 422MM of water fell 40% less than the average 760MM. Bilaspur has received 18% below average, Hamirpur 11%, Kangra 6%, Kinnaur 19%, Shimla 12%, Sirmaur 23% and Solan 18% below average.

Water inflow reduced in Bhakra-Pong dam

The inflow of water in Bhakra and Pong dams has reduced for the last five days. The biggest reason for this is the lack of rain in Himachal Pradesh. In Upper Himachal, especially Kinnaur and Shimla district, only when it rains, the water there comes into the reservoir Govindsagar lake of Bhakra Dam through the Sutlej river. Similarly, rain water falling in Kullu, Chamba and Mandi districts comes to Pong Dam through Beas river. On the other hand, there has been an increase in the outflow of water from both the dams as there has been an increase in the demand for canal water to save crops due to lack of rain in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar-Hanumangarh districts.

Problems in many districts including Mahendragarh-Rewari dependent on canals
According to Dr. Balwant Saharan, Deputy Director, Haryana Agriculture Department in Hisar, this time due to late monsoon, sowing of crops has been affected. In many districts, farmers have had to spend more diesel on irrigation. Many districts of Haryana including Mahendragarh and Rewari are completely dependent on canal water. In August, so far Mahendragarh district has received only 5 days of rain. This year, the problem has arisen due to the delay in the monsoon first and after that the reduction in canal water is more than in previous years. According to the officials of the canal department, if there is no rain in the upper areas of Himachal in the next 15-20 days, then there will be no water in the dams and in that case there may be water shortage in Haryana-Punjab.

It may rain in the next week

The Meteorological Department has forecast rain in Punjab, Chandigarh and Himachal during the next one week. According to the Agricultural Meteorological Department of Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, due to the formation of a low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal and cyclonic circulation, the weather will change in Haryana from late night on August 19. During this time, apart from strong wind, there may be rain and thunder. Due to which the day temperature will drop. Heavy rain may also occur at isolated places in North and South-East Haryana. The Meteorological Department has forecast bad weather in Himachal till August 23. Here on August 20 and 21, a yellow alert has been issued for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts.

If it rains till September 15, the dam will be filled
Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Department says that the Bhakra-Beas Management Board (BBMB), which manages Bhakra and Pong dams, is releasing more water into canals for Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan these days than in previous years due to less rain. This is also one of the reasons for the low water level. The department expects that although the inflow of water in Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers is less at this time, but there is still some time left for the monsoon. If the rains continue till September 15, it is expected that the water level of Bhakra and Pong Dam will reach near normal level.