BHAKRA BOARD TO REVIEW WATER RELEASE

PATIALA: Fearing a deficit monsoon, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) is planning to hold an emergency meeting with its partnering states to review the release of water for irrigation.

The power demand in Punjab has touched the highest-ever (2,244 lakh units daily), crippling the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited. Despite all efforts, PSPCL has managed to supply only 1,977 lakh units. The deficit of 267 lakh units has forced the PSPCL to cut supply from agricultural and domestic sector, by imposing cuts ranging from three to five hours daily.

"We are monitoring the situation. So far, we have not decided to hold any meeting with the partnering states. We will decide on July 4 whether to hold a meeting after reviewing the situation," said a BBMB spokesman, who assured that there was no cause for worry yet.

AS Dullat, chief engineer, irrigation, said the situation could turn grim if rain continued to elude the region. Presently, Punjab is getting full flow of water from BBMB, he added.

The BBMB, meanwhile, is also apprehensive of the water level in dams, particularly the slow inflow of water from catchments areas. Last month, BBMB had agreed to release water to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan as per their requirements.

"If we compare the data of last 10 years, a similar situation has arisen seven times and everything has been fine. But if there is no rain in a few more days, then it would certainly a worrisome factor," he said.