Inflows in Bhakra, Pong reservoirs - An analysis

Haryana Geography and Environment

The monsoon in Haryana, which for most part of the season has remained within the range defined as normal, has now turned deficient.

Facts:

The shortfall of rain in the state, which is the highest among other states in the region, comes in the backdrop of low availability of water in major dams that irrigate the region.
Till August 23, the state received 260.3 mm rain against the normal of 337.5 mm, which was 24 per cent below the long-term average, according to the India Meteorological Department.
While rain was 13 per cent above normal in Jammu and Kashmir, it was deficient by 4 per cent and 13 per cent in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, respectively.
Most districts were hit with deficiency ranging up to 53 per cent.
Thirteen districts were comes in the backdrop of low availability of water in major dams classified as deficient, with the worst hit being Sonepat (-53), Panipat (-52), Rohtak (-50), Panchkula (-47), Fatehabad (-44) and Ambala (-41).
Palwal, Gurugram, Rewari, Jhajjar, Hisar and Bhiwani experienced deficient rain ranging between 21 per cent and 39 per cent below normal.
Rain was below the long-term average in Mahendragarh, Faridabad, Sirsa, Kaithal and Kurukshetra, where the deficit ranged between 4 per cent and 14 per cent.
Only Karnal received excess rain this season while in Yamunanagar and Mewat, the precipitation was marginally more that the long-term average.
Haryana draws a major chunk of its water requirements from the Bhakra Beas Management Board, where the water situation is still a cause for concern.

Onset of Monsoon :

Punjab and Haryana are the most aggressive agricultural states in the country. Monsoon marks its onset over both these states mostly during end of June or early July and withdrawal begins in the first week of September.
However, 70% of rain is witnessed during the months of July and August. Meanwhile, less rains are witnessed during the months of June and September. Punjab’s normal rainfall for the entire Monsoon season is 492 mm and Haryana 466 mm.
Monsoon rains over both these states are mostly driven due to the Monsoon trough, its oscillation and Western Disturbances. Monsoon systems which form in the Bay of Bengal, mostly move across central parts of the country affecting Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
But weather systems formed over the Indo-Gangetic Plains do affect Punjab and Haryana. All these situations are responsible for rains over Punjab and Haryana.

Analysis :

Punjab and Haryana have not seen good Monsoon season since last many years. However, due to the rich agricultural resources these states are not majorly affected by rain deficiency.
The last time good Monsoon occurred over these states was in 2008, Punjab was rain surplus by 20% and Haryana by 14%.
Meanwhile, Monsoon showed its worst performance in 2014, when Punjab was rain deficient by 50% and Haryana by 56%. Thus, we can say that this year is the fourth consecutive deficient Monsoon for Punjab and Haryana. As of August 23, Punjab is rain deficient by 13% and Haryana by 24%.
The northern districts of Punjab and Haryana are more prone to rain deficiency as variability of rain remains high.
No predictable rain pattern is emerged. All possible combinations are observed for example - Monsoon is rain surplus over Punjab and deficient over Haryana.
This year, there has been very less rain - both in the winter and the pre-monsoon season.
The western disturbances had hit the hilly regions but deprived the plains of northwest India of any rain. Besides, there has been intense heat across Pakistan and West Asia.
Notably, the water inflow has been lesser this year because of decrease in snow melting caused by low temperatures prevailing over upper Himalayas.

Monsoon performance over Punjab and Haryana since 2005 :

Low Water Level in Major Dams in North India :

Precautionary Steps :

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has warned its partnering states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan about water levels running low in Bhakra and Pong dam reservoirs.
Reservoir level of Pong and Bhakra are lower by 44.18 feet and 63.43 feet respectively compared to the water level on the same day last year.
The board also asked the states, who depend on the dams for their water needs, to make the best use of monsoon season for irrigation and other purposes.
Keeping in view the low level of water storage in reservoirs and deficient rainfall in catchment area, BBMB asked the states to conserve and utilise monsoon water to the maximum possible extent so that water releases from the two reservoirs are minimised to store water for utilization during the coming depletion period starting from September 21, 2018.