Chandigarh: Even as Punjab struggles with severe flooding, the Haryana government has written to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and Punjab authorities seeking a reduction of 2,500 cusecs of water being released towards its territory, officials confirmed on Saturday.
The request comes just days after Haryana had pressed for an increase in water supply to meet its own needs, underscoring the shifting challenges both states are facing amid erratic monsoon conditions.
Punjab officials, however, warn that diverting less water could intensify the already grim flood situation in several districts, where overflowing rivers and heavy rains have caused widespread damage to crops and infrastructure.
Earlier this month, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had expressed solidarity with Punjab, assuring cooperation during its flood crisis. The latest demand, critics argue, appears contradictory to that stance, as it prioritizes Haryana’s water management concerns over Punjab’s ongoing relief efforts.
Officials in Punjab have conveyed that any drastic cut in water release may push vulnerable areas deeper into crisis. Meanwhile, BBMB has yet to announce its position on Haryana’s request.
The development highlights the delicate balance northern states are attempting to strike between flood control, agricultural needs, and inter-state water-sharing agreements — a recurring flashpoint in the region during extreme weather events.
