Low water level in Bhakra dam to cause problems in north India

Chandigarh, June 24 (ANI): The depleting water level in the Bhakra Nangal dam is going to further problems of many north Indian States who depend heavily on it for irrigation and drinking water purposes.

With a delayed monsoon and prevailing heat conditions, the level of water has reduced to 1,504 feet (450 metres), which is 90 feet less than what it was at the corresponding time last year.

Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh depend heavily on this dam to fulfil their irrigation and drinking water needs.

"Our partner states are Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan which depend for irrigation and drinking water on BBMB system. All these states will be affected and they are affecting...if there is less water in the river so definitely we will have to regulate the water supply to these states accordingly," said U.C. Mishra, Chairman, Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) said on Wednesday.

The water from Asia's biggest dam Bhakra Nangal not only provides irrigation and drinking water in these states but also plays a crucial role in power generation.

Meanwhile, monsoon rains, a lifeline to its trillion dollar economy, are expected to be remain below normal this year, the Government said on Wednesday (June 24), and analysts said this could lower farm output and raise prices.

The June-September monsoon rains have a major influence on the economy, as two-thirds of Indians depend on agriculture and large areas of the vast south Asian country suffer from a lack of modern irrigation facilities. (ANI)