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.