The Bhakra Dam Dilemma: How Delayed Water Releases Amplified Punjab's Flood Crisis

A critical analysis of water management at the Bhakra Dam during Punjab's recent devastating floods has revealed a significant missed opportunity. New data suggests that a proactive release of an additional 4,500 cusecs of water from the reservoir between July 9 and 15 could have substantially lowered water levels, potentially averting the widespread catastrophe that followed.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), responsible for managing the dam, is facing scrutiny over its decisions.

According to expert analysis, had the BBMB released an additional 4,500 cusecs daily for that crucial week, the reservoir's water level would have been approximately five feet lower. This seemingly small difference could have provided much-needed buffer capacity when heavy rains later necessitated massive releases, turning a potential crisis into an unmanageable disaster.

During the aforementioned period, the reservoir level at Bhakra surged from 1580 feet on July 9 to a concerning 1618 feet by July 15.

Experts argue that even with the ongoing water releases for irrigation and power generation, a controlled, additional discharge could have been managed without adverse impacts downstream, creating space for the anticipated monsoon inflows.

However, the BBMB maintains that its operational protocols were strictly adhered to.

Officials have stated that releasing additional water earlier would have been considered 'wastage' and could have led to different issues downstream, potentially impacting ongoing irrigation needs and power generation. Their argument centres on the necessity to maintain reservoir levels for agricultural and energy security, especially given the unpredictable nature of monsoon patterns.

Critics, however, contend that the BBMB's conservative approach led to a dangerous accumulation of water.

The reluctance to release more water earlier resulted in a scenario where, once the reservoir reached alarming levels, the dam authorities were forced into a 'knee-jerk reaction' of discharging massive volumes. This sudden, large-scale release inundated vast areas of Punjab, destroying crops, homes, and livelihoods, particularly along the river Sutlej.

The data-driven argument posits that a more anticipatory and flexible approach to water management could have mitigated the severity of the floods.

It underscores the ongoing debate between immediate resource conservation and proactive disaster prevention. As Punjab grapples with the aftermath of the floods, the question of whether a different strategy at Bhakra Dam could have saved the state from immense suffering remains a central point of discussion and future policy review.