The Monsoon Indifference

August 31, 2026

The new data provided by the Meteorological Department in Punjab this year assesses this monsoon season in such a way that the monsoon rainfall in the state has been 34 percent less than required so far. This has affected the dams in Punjab, where water is stored for Punjab, for irrigation of agriculture and for drinking water. The news is that the water level in the dams has decreased this year. Bhakra has 35 feet less water this year. Pong Dam has 27 feet less water.

Ranjit Sagar Dam has seen a decrease of more than 40 feet. The indifference of the monsoon and lack of rainfall becomes a major reason for shaking the foundation of the future. Less rainfall means a lack of water for irrigation, reduced yields, and adversely impacts production. Taking advantage of this, black marketers and those who create a scare by creating a fear-mongering mentality of scarcity, prepare in advance to further their own ends.

This is where the crisis of widespread price increases arises. In other words, a less-thannormal monsoon severely impacts food grain supply and demand. The crisis is also compounded by the fact that due to low water levels in the dams, the inflow of water from the Bhakra Dam has been limited. Other dams are facing the same problem.

This is impacting power generation as well as the water released into the canals. Major dams connected to the Sutlej and Beas rivers are facing this crisis. It is expected that this crisis will worsen as the summer season approaches. Bhakra Nangal has even made it clear to the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan that they should use water with extreme caution, as it will now be extremely difficult to continuously release sufficient quantities of water. Comparing the inflow of water into the Bhakra, Ranjit Sagar, and Pong dams on the same dates last year, a significant decrease has been recorded. The water level in the dams has dropped significantly compared to last year.

In such a situation, if there is not enough rainfall in the future, where will the water for drinking water, irrigation, and other essential needs come from? This problem has arisen because the weather department’s accurate forecasts cannot be integrated with the proper water management of water planners. Water scarcity disrupts the lives of ordinary people and the psychology of markets. We must be alerted to this crisis in time.