Thunderstorm Damages Power Infra; Govt Urged to Release Bhakra Surplus Water

June

2026

High-velocity winds accompanied by thunderstorms across parts of Panjab damaged numerous electricity poles and transformers on 13 Jun, disrupting power supply and causing losses of USD 21M to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). The storm damaged more than 8,492 poles, 1,466 transformers, four km of high-tension cable wires, and more than 220 km of low-tension wires. Furthermore, canal breaches at two locations in Faridkot district—near Jaito and Kotkapura—left thousands of acres of agricultural land inundated, causing heavy losses to standing vegetable and newly planted paddy crops. In Jaito, the local Member of Legislative Assembly Amolak Singh said that the distributary is old and develops breaches almost every year due to mounting water pressure. In Kotkapura, farmers alleged that substandard material was used during the canal’s recent concrete reconstruction, which has already failed at six to seven points. Meanwhile, according to the latest data on 11 Jun, inflows into the Bhakra Dam stood at 16,527 cusecs, nearly 50% lower than the average inflow of 32,706 cusecs recorded during this period in 2025. The reason is limited snowfall in the Sutlej catchment area and delayed snowmelt caused by persistent western disturbances. Yet, on the same day, the reservoir level was recorded higher at 1,576.65 ft, compared to 1,555.30 ft in 2025, and an average level of 1,545.39 ft. The Public Action Committee (PAC), an environmental organization, has urged the Panjab government to release the surplus water to recharge water tables. PAC warned that the surplus should not be allowed to remain in the reservoir, risking emergency releases during the monsoon—as seen in 2023 and again on an even larger scale in 2025. PAC suggested using suitable canals and drains for groundwater recharge. The Bhakra Beas Management Board has urged partner states to draw more water before the monsoon. Concurrently, a survey conducted by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in flood-affected districts has revealed the emergence of new weed species and noticeable shift in weed flora, underscoring the need for regular monitoring and timely management. PAU has advised farmers to remain vigilant during the ongoing monsoon season and report any unusual weed infestations or unfamiliar plant species to experts (earlier coverage).