Chandigarh: Water levels in Punjab’s major reservoirs continue to remain below those recorded during the corresponding period last year, with Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams reporting significantly lower storage and inflows as of August 27.
The latest figures point to a weaker reservoir position during the 2026 monsoon, with substantial storage capacity still available ahead of the reservoir filling season’s expected end on September 15.
Bhakra Reservoir 37 Feet Lower Than Last Year
The water level at Bhakra Reservoir on the Sutlej stood at 1,634.22 feet on August 27, compared with 1,671.49 feet on the corresponding day in 2025 — a difference of 37.27 feet.
Its live storage was recorded at 3.61 billion cubic metres (BCM), putting the reservoir at 64 per cent of capacity. At the same point last year, it held 5.25 BCM and was 93 per cent full. Around 2.05 BCM of live storage capacity currently remains vacant.
Inflows into Bhakra were also considerably lower at 30,452 cusecs, compared with 58,997 cusecs last year. Cumulative inflows since May 21 stood at 3,108,451 cusecs against 4,336,875 cusecs during the corresponding period in 2025.
The reservoir remains 45.78 feet below its full reservoir level of 1,680 feet.
Sources in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), however, said the current water level remained comfortable for meeting the requirements of partner states.
They said Bhakra’s water level has not fallen below 1,550 feet during the depletion period for more than a decade. According to the sources, a lower storage level could also reduce deflection of the dam structure caused by sustained high reservoir levels.
Pong Reservoir At 71% Capacity
A similar year-on-year decline has been recorded at Pong Reservoir. Its level stood at 1,365.67 feet, compared with 1,393 feet last year, leaving it 27.33 feet lower.
The reservoir had 4.10 BCM of live storage and was 71 per cent full, while another 1.67 BCM of live capacity remained available.
The most striking difference was in inflows. Pong received 22,202 cusecs on August 27, sharply below the 2,28,091 cusecs recorded on the same date last year.
Cumulative inflows since May 21 were also lower at 1,991,940 cusecs against 4,245,214 cusecs last year.
Ranjit Sagar, Pandoh Also Record Sharp Drop In Inflows
Pandoh Reservoir recorded inflows of 14,402 cusecs, compared with 1,03,541 cusecs during the corresponding period last year. Downstream discharge stood at 7,504 cusecs against 1,04,405 cusecs in 2025.
The situation at Ranjit Sagar Dam on the Ravi also reflected the wider trend. Its level was recorded at 514.59 metres, compared with 526.86 metres last year — a difference of 12.27 metres.
Inflows stood at just 7,073 cusecs, compared with 1,63,037 cusecs on the corresponding day last year.
With the filling period expected to continue until September 15, rainfall over the reservoir catchment areas in the coming weeks will determine how much of the existing storage deficit can be recovered before the depletion season begins.
