As the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana grapple with the aftermath of heavy monsoon rains and subsequent floods, there is mounting concern over the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)’s decision to release 22,300 cusec of water from the Pong Dam in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district. This discharge occurred on Sunday evening and could exacerbate the flooding in regions already struggling with recovery efforts.
The BBMB affirmed this water release is a standard protocol when dam water levels reach critical thresholds, which currently sit at 1,367.87 feet, close to the storage capacity of 1,410 feet. The authorities have alerted those living along the Beas River, warning of possible flooding in the Jalandhar area and surrounding regions.
This development follows a period of intense monsoons in Himachal, leading to landslides, flash floods, and significant damage to infrastructure. Losses due to these disasters have reached approximately Rs 4,357 crore since the onset of monsoon on June 24, with 111 reported fatalities.
Meanwhile, recovery operations in Punjab and Haryana continue with urgent efforts to restore electricity, secure drinkable water, and repair infrastructure in flood-impacted areas. In both states, over 30,000 people have been evacuated from waterlogged areas, and an estimated 1,775 villages in 27 districts have been affected by the floods.
To manage potential public health risks, the health department is acting proactively to prevent disease outbreaks in affected areas, deploying medical camps equipped with necessary medicines. Despite these efforts, issues such as the 40-ft breach along the Ghaggar River in Punjab’s Mansa, which threatens to inundate more villages, pose ongoing challenges.
In a bid to alleviate the impact on everyday life, local authorities have taken measures to ensure a return to normalcy. Harjot Singh Bains, the Punjab Education Minister, announced that schools will reopen from July 17. Additionally, Bram Shanker Jimpa, the Water Supply and Sanitation Minister, said Rs 10 crore was being released for the repair of pipes, motors, or tubewells, and to restore drinking water supply.
These recovery efforts and the ongoing flood situation have sparked political debates, with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar responding to allegations from AAP leaders blaming Haryana for flooding parts in Delhi. Khattar refuted the accusations, calling them a “blame game” that served no one’s interest. He pointed out that Haryana too suffered adverse impacts from the waters, with many districts needing to be evacuated.
The current situation also revives discussions around the long-standing Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) issue. Khattar asserted that had the SYL been operational, Punjab would have been spared from the severe flooding.
Simultaneously, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘moderate to high risk’ alert for possible flash floods in five districts of Himachal Pradesh till.
Key Highlights
• The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) released 22,300 cusec of water from Pong Dam in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district due to excessive rainfall.
• Officials have alerted residents living along the Beas River banks, particularly in the Jalandhar area and adjacent locations.
• Punjab and Haryana have witnessed heavy downpours that have disrupted normal life, flooded residential and agricultural land, and led to loss of life.
• Floodwater receding has led to the commencement of restoring electricity, regular drinking water supply, and repairing damaged infrastructure in flood-hit areas.
• More than 25,000 people in Punjab and 5,300 in Haryana have been evacuated to safer places due to the flooding.
• A total of 164 relief camps have been set up in Punjab sheltering 3,331 people, and 32 relief camps in Haryana sheltering 2,494 people.
• Heavy overnight rain in Dasuya sub-division in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, caused extensive inundation in several villages.
• Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, denied allegations by AAP leaders that Haryana released excessive water from the Hathnikund barrage, causing floods in parts of Delhi.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘moderate to high risk’ alert predicting flash floods in five districts of Himachal Pradesh till July 17.
• Himachal Pradesh has potentially suffered losses nearing Rs 5,000 crore due to floods, according to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
• In Himachal Pradesh, seven districts are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next four to five days, warns IMD Shimla Director Surender Paul.
• In total, the floods have impacted 14 districts in Punjab and 13 in Haryana, with substantial damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
• Efforts are underway to plug a 40-ft breach that occurred along the Ghaggar River in Punjab’s Mansa, which has caused water to flood the fields in the district’s Gorakhnath village.
• Health departments in both states have been tasked with preventing disease outbreaks in the flood-affected areas, with medical camps and medicines being distributed.
• Punjab’s Education Minister, Harjot Singh Bains, announced that schools, which were closed due to the flooding, will reopen from July 17.
• Amid the flood crisis, there is political tension between Haryana and Delhi over the management of the Hathnikund barrage and allegations of excess water release.
• Haryana’s Chief Minister emphasised that Haryana continues to supply Delhi with water beyond its share, despite the floods.
• Calls have been made for accelerated relief and rehabilitation work, particularly in Himachal Pradesh’s Sainj Valley in Kullu, which is heavily affected.