Punjab Flooding: Dam management and Infrastructure ‍Weaknesses Blamed for Recurring ‌Disasters

Chandigarh, September 15, 2023 – Severe flooding continues‍ to plague Punjab, prompting scrutiny of dam management practices and infrastructure vulnerabilities as key contributing factors to the ‌recurring disasters. Concerns center on the operation of ⁢reservoirs ‍controlled by ⁢the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) ​and the state of protective embankments.

The BBMB’s reservoir release policies are under fire, with officials alleging the ⁢Board prioritizes ⁣maintaining high water levels in July⁤ and August to ensure winter irrigation and power generation.This practice leaves limited capacity to absorb sudden rainfall in August and ⁣September. Downstream state officials also report a lack of timely warnings from the BBMB, often receiving ‌little notice⁣ before important water releases.

Punjab asserts it has insufficient influence over the BBMB, a Centre-controlled ‍body mandated for irrigation and power, ‍not flood control. Amendments ⁢to BBMB rules in 2022, allowing officers from ⁤across India to fill top positions-previously reserved for Punjab and Haryana-have⁤ further heightened ‌these concerns.

“The BBMB holds water in its dams ​till the last ⁢moment before suddenly releasing ‍it,” Punjab Water resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal ⁣stated in⁤ an interview with The Indian Express last week.”There is ⁤no ⁣hesitation‌ in saying they (the⁤ Centre) do not⁣ care about Punjab’s ⁣people.”

Beyond the BBMB, failures‍ in internal communication‌ within Punjab’s own⁢ irrigation department contributed to recent damage. On August 26,two ‌gates of ​the Madhopur​ barrage were destroyed after water was released from the Thein dam,with officials blaming delayed gate openings due ⁣to a lack of ⁤coordination.

Experts emphasize the need‍ for improved dam management across the region. Environmentalist jaskirat Singh of Public Action Committee Mattewara noted that​ at ranjit Sagar, Pong, and Bhakra dams, “water was stored for many days and then released in massive volumes, causing⁢ sudden flooding downstream. A ‍flood cushion was not maintained, and warnings were delayed.” He added, “Heavy rain is ⁢natural, but the damage was made worse by human decisions. Unless dams are managed with transparency and scientific discipline,Punjab will continue to face such floods.”

The condition ⁢of dhussi bundhs – earthen embankments – is‌ also a critical issue. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, following a visit to flood-affected districts, attributed weakening of these structures to illegal mining.

A senior officer within the Punjab Drainage⁣ Department estimates that strengthening embankments and ‌desilting river bottlenecks⁣ would require an investment‍ of Rs 4,000-5,000 crore, but could prevent greater flood losses.”Every ⁣year governments wake up only after floods,” the​ officer said to The Indian ⁤Express.