Bhakra Dam water level rises; BBMB urges Punjab, Haryana to maximise water use before monsoon
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 10, 2026: The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has issued an important advisory to Punjab, Haryana and other partner states, urging them to maximize the use of water from the Bhakra Dam before the onset of the monsoon season.
The advisory comes amid concerns over rising water levels in the Bhakra reservoir and the need to create sufficient storage capacity for the expected inflow from monsoon rains and glacier melt in the coming months. According to sources, BBMB has also written an official letter to the Punjab Chief Minister regarding the matter.
The issue was discussed in detail during a meeting of the Technical Committee Meeting (TCM) held at BBMB headquarters in Chandigarh on Tuesday. Senior officials and experts reviewed the current reservoir situation, irrigation requirements of partner states and the dam’s technical condition.
Sources said representatives of the states were advised to make maximum use of canal water during the ongoing paddy season. Increased withdrawal of water through canal networks would help lower reservoir levels and allow authorities to safely accommodate additional inflows expected during the monsoon period.
According to the latest figures, the water level in the Gobind Sagar reservoir has reached 1,578.07 feet, leaving only about 102 feet of storage space below its maximum permissible level.
Officials pointed out that a substantial volume of water enters the reservoir between June and September due to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas and melting glaciers in the Himalayan region. Creating additional storage capacity now is being viewed as a precautionary measure to prevent flood-like situations later in the season.
During the meeting, experts also highlighted certain technical concerns related to the safety and structural condition of the Bhakra Dam.
Sources indicated that the approved deflection limit of the dam wall is 1.03 inches, while recent measurements have reportedly recorded a deflection of 1.1770 inches. Experts believe that sustained high water levels have increased pressure on the dam structure over time.
Another major concern is the accumulation of silt within the reservoir. Estimates suggest that Bhakra Dam has already lost nearly 26 per cent of its original water storage capacity due to sedimentation, posing an additional challenge for long-term water management.
Punjab Government Monitoring Situation
Reacting to the development, Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said the state government is closely monitoring the situation.
He stated that BBMB has been directed to regulate water releases in a careful and planned manner to ensure that downstream areas do not face any flood-related risks. At the same time, the interests and water requirements of all partner states must be adequately met.
The advisory assumes significance as northern India prepares for the monsoon season, with water managers seeking to strike a balance between flood prevention,