Punjab Government's Negligence Worsened Flood Crisis, Says BBMB Chief

The devastating floods that recently ravaged Punjab could have been significantly less severe, had it not been for the alleged negligence of the state government, according to a scathing statement from Nand Lal Sharma, chairman of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). Sharma emphatically pointed fingers at the Punjab government, asserting that their inaction directly exacerbated the crisis.

Sharma detailed a series of critical failures by the state.

Primarily, he highlighted the Punjab government's failure to ensure the proper drainage of surplus water into the Sutlej River. This fundamental oversight meant that when the BBMB needed to release water from the Bhakra Dam, the receiving channels were not adequately prepared, leading to a much higher inundation in downstream areas than necessary.

Furthermore, the BBMB chief revealed that warnings about the impending crisis and the need for preparedness had been issued to the Punjab government as early as July.

These crucial advisories, which included recommendations for desilting rivers and repairing embankments, were reportedly ignored. Had these proactive measures been taken, the state would have been far better equipped to manage the deluge when it arrived.

A major point of contention raised by Sharma was the state government's failure to remove encroachments from riverbeds and natural drains.

These illegal structures impede the natural flow of water, acting as chokepoints that force water to overflow into surrounding areas. Coupled with neglected maintenance and repairs of critical embankments, the state's infrastructure was simply not ready to handle the heavy rainfall and subsequent water releases.

Sharma clarified BBMB's position, explaining that the decision to release water from the Bhakra Dam was made only after explicit approval from the Punjab government.

He underscored the board's cautious approach, stating that they deliberately waited for the state's go-ahead to prevent any accusations of unilateral action. This protocol, while ensuring due process, also meant that any delays in the state's response directly impacted the timing and volume of water release, contributing to the worsening flood situation.

The BBMB chairman lamented the state's consistent disregard for flood preparedness, despite continuous communication from the board regarding rising water levels and the need for preemptive measures.

He indicated that BBMB had even offered assistance for maintenance work earlier in the year, which was not utilized by the state, painting a picture of systemic neglect that ultimately put countless lives and properties at risk during the flood.