Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Punjab govt seeks flexible dam operations amid flood risk
Punjab says the people operating two large dams need better plans for sudden floods.
The dams are called Bhakra and Pong.
The state says floods caused serious damage in several years, including 2023 and 2025.
It worries that raising the Pong dam’s water limit could increase danger for low-lying areas.
Punjab also says current plans do not fully consider how much water the rivers below the dams can carry.
It wants better technology to predict incoming water and watch reservoir levels in real time.
The state says dam managers should not depend only on weather forecasts.
The issue is being considered by the National Green Tribunal.
Punjab has flagged operational gaps at the Bhakra Beas Management Board before the National Green Tribunal.
The state cited severe flood damage in 1988, 2019, 2023 and 2025.
Punjab opposed a proposal to raise Pong dam’s full reservoir level to 1,400 feet.
The state said new rule curves overlook downstream river capacity and low-lying districts.
Punjab urged advanced forecasting, real-time monitoring and technology-driven reservoir operations.
- Who
- The Punjab government, the Bhakra Beas Management Board and the Central Water Commission are involved.
- What
- Punjab has sought revised, flexible and technology-driven operations for the Bhakra and Pong dams and objected to proposed changes in their water limits.
- When
- The concerns were raised in a recent affidavit; the state cited floods in 1988, 2019, 2023 and 2025.
- Where
- The Bhakra dam is on the Sutlej and the Pong dam is on the Beas, with downstream effects in Punjab.
- Why
- Punjab says changing monsoon patterns, unusually high inflows and inadequate consideration of downstream capacity could increase flood risks.
Punjab's Flood-Safety Concerns
Proposed Reservoir Changes
Pong dam water level
Punjab's Flood-Safety Concerns
Punjab objects to raising Pong's full reservoir level to 1,400 feet, saying low-lying districts and flood risks were not adequately considered.
Proposed Reservoir Changes
The Central Water Commission has proposed enhancing Pong's full reservoir level to 1,400 feet; the proposal is pending before the Bhakra Beas Management Board.
Rule curves
Punjab's Flood-Safety Concerns
Punjab says the new rule curves contain flaws and fail to account for the downstream carrying capacity of rivers.
Proposed Reservoir Changes
The Central Water Commission submitted the new rule curves, but they have not yet been formally approved by the Bhakra Beas Management Board.
Flood forecasting
Punjab's Flood-Safety Concerns
Punjab wants dam operations to use advanced technology and not rely solely on forecasts from the India Meteorological Department.
Proposed Reservoir Changes
The existing approach, as described by Punjab, includes reliance on India Meteorological Department forecasts; no separate response from the board is provided.
- Forum
- National Green Tribunal
- Dams
- Bhakra dam on the Sutlej and Pong dam on the Beas
- Bhakra operating level
- A maximum storage level of 1,680 feet was maintained after the 1988 floods
- Pong operating level
- A maximum storage level of 1,390 feet was maintained after the 1988 floods
- Proposed Pong level
- The Central Water Commission proposed raising the full reservoir level to 1,400 feet
- Punjab's requested tools
- Advanced inflow prediction, real-time reservoir monitoring and scientific operational planning
- Flood years cited
- 1988, 2019, 2023 and 2025