Bhakra Dam reservoir can be considered the backbone of water supply to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. These three states are in grave danger of severe water scarcity with the water levels in the dam reaching a never before low. The rains in the Himachal Pradesh region are lower than 50% of the average for the season which led to the depletion of both Bhakra and Pong Dams.

The Bhakhra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has already warned the farmers and the neighboring states by placing ads in the local newspapers to conserve water.

The latest statistics state that the water levels in the Bhakra Dam is around 64 ft lower than its level last year and to add to the seriousness the inflow of water is 24% lower than the inflow last year. The Pong dam has similar situation with the water levels 65% below the level while the inflow is only 45% of 2011's statistics.

A 10% supply to the canals has already been cut and the percentage would increase if the situation doesn't improve in the days to come.

“The supply to the partner states have been cut and we would have to take much drastic measures if the situations don't improve with the time”, officials from the BBMB said.

A similar crisis had occurred in 2004 the last time. Bhakra board and the farmers are now praying for the monsoons to improve the situations.

(AW - ANIL)