RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT, MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT

A CASE STUDY WITH RESPECT TO EASTERN RIVERS OF INDUS

SYSTEM
KVS Thakur
1.0 General
Broadly classified, there are 5 river basins in India viz.
1. Westward flowing rivers such as Narmada and TaptiMm3/248 MAF)

30.55 M ham (305,500

2. Eastward flowing rivers such as Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery and their
tributaries - 35.56 M ham (355,600 M m3/288 MAF)
3. Ganga and its tributaries- 55.01 M ham (550,100 M m 3/446MAF)
4. Indus and its tributaries -7.95 M ham (79,500 Mm 3/64 MAF)
5 Brahmaputra and its tributaries-59.07 M ham (590,700 Mm 3/479MAF)
The total water potential of the basins of India amounts to a colossal amount of 188.14
M ham (1,881,400 M m3/1525MAF) .If this potential is tamed and optimally utilized, the
sustaining of ever increasing demand of food grains for the vast populace of India can
be ensured with spare enough for export.
The Indus River System comprises river Indus as its mother river and five main
tributaries of Indus namely, Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum. Along with two
more tributaries from the North West Frontier and Afghanistan, the Indus forms the
Sapta Sindhu (Seven Rivers) delta.
The development of water resource in Indus valley began about 5000 years ago. The
traces of canals are found in the remains of Mohanjodaro and Harappa, which indicate
that irrigated agriculture was prevalent in Indus. Canals were built during the Mughal
Empire in 16th and 17th century for water supply and irrigation of small areas. However,
an extensive network of canals was developed during the British Raj. The first major
canal was Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC) on river Ravi, which was opened in 1859.
The second major canal was Sirhind Canal on river Sutlej which was opened in 1882.
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This was followed by Sidhni, Lower Chenab and Lower Jhelum canals.

However,

occurrence of a serious famine in 1889-1901, emphasized the need to expand the

irrigation facilities in Northern India. The construction of storage dams was the evident
solace but storage dams seemed prohibitively expensive. This gave birth to the first
integrated system, the triple canal system on Jhelum, Ravi and Chenab. This was
followed by construction of the Sutlej Valley Project, which comprised of four new
barrages viz. Ferozepur, Suleimanki, Islam and Panjnad on river Sutlej along with
canals off taking from the head works. The three upper barrages were completed by
1927 and the last one at Panjnad was completed in 1933.
The

Indus

Valley

rivers

are

shown

in

figure-1

below:

Rivers of the Indus System

Fig -1 Rivers of Indus System

The partition of India in 1947, however, divested East Punjab of the major portion

of

developed irrigation facilities. Indian part of Punjab got only 20% of the irrigated area
against population liability of 50 %.The situation called for major initiative to restore the
balance .The independent India resolved to raise irrigation facilities on a large scale to
erase the menaces of famines and floods .The river management in form of storage
reservoirs and canals was born in a big way. Both structural and non-structural
measures were planned to be undertaken to tackle the problem. A system to take up
non-structural measures like flood plain zoning, flood forecasting etc. was envisaged to
be provided. Structural measures in the form of construction of structures like dams,
embankments, drainage channels, etc. were planned for implementation at ground.
The process of accomplishment of the objectives of Water- Food- Energy Nexus
resulting in alleviation of the dearth of food and generation of energy for overall growth
of the nation was set in motion by taking up of the construction of Modern Temples of
Resurgent India. Bhakra Nangal project was taken up immediately after independence
as joint venture of the states of Punjab and Rajasthan to harness the water of river
Sutlej.
However, the partition had raised many skirmishes. The dispute for sharing of waters of
the rivers of pre partitioned Punjab by India and Pakistan formed a major issue. The
newly formed states were at odds over how to share and manage what was essentially
a cohesive and unitary network of irrigation. After a prolonged process of litigation, an
agreement mutually acceptable to India and Pakistan in form of historic Indus Water
Treaty for water sharing arrangement

was signed at Karachi in Pakistan on 19 th

September, 1960.The signatories to the treaty were Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru- the Prime
Minister of India and Field Marshal, Mohammad Ayub Khan -the President of Pakistan.
3

The Treaty gave India exclusive use of all of the waters of the three Eastern Rivers viz.
Sutlej, Beas and Ravi and their tributaries before the point where the rivers enter
Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistan was given the exclusive use of the Western Rivers viz.
Chenab, Jhelum and Indus. The treaty however was to be effective from 1 st April, 1960
with a transition period up to 31st March 1970.
A master Plan was drawn to harness the waters of eastern rivers which now became
available for exclusive use by India. The Bhakra Nangal Project which had already been
taken up became a part of the Master Plan. The components of master Plan were:

Bhakra Nangal Project - completed

in 1963
Madhopur Beas Link - completed in
1954

Beas Dam at Pong -completed in

1974.

Beas Sutlej Project- completed in

1977

Ranjit Sagar Dam

2001,

- completed in

Fig 2

(Master Plan)

The construction of storage reservoirs envisaged in the Master Plan provided the
structural infrastructure necessary for River Water Management for the eastern rivers of
Indus System. However, the operation of these Storage Reservoirs in an optimal
manner forms an equally important ingredient of the effective River Water Management.
2.0 Operation of Storage Reservoirs- A case Study with respect to eastern rivers
of Indus System
4

2.1 General Principles of Operation of Reservoirs:

The large dams in general play a considerable role in preventing floods. However, these
structures are mostly constructed as multipurpose projects- serving needs of irrigation
and power. The objective is to fill the reservoirs to the maximum possible level during
the filling period so that sufficient storage is available during lean period. There is a
further tendency to keep the levels slightly higher than the lowest levels at the end of
depletion period so as to keep some reserves to take care of the delayed or poor
monsoons in the ensuing filling period.
The process of operation of reservoirs is a very complex issue as it involves avoidance
of floods, meeting conflicting demands of water and power by the participating
beneficiaries and achieving maximisation of Irrigation and Power at the same time. Most
difficult situation may arise when a conservation reservoir is called upon to perform the
function of a flood control reservoir without the provision of adequate flood storage
space. The operating authorities are faced with a dilemma firstly towards the end of
filling period when the reservoir is at high level and there is flood forecast, to whether
release water or not .If the water is released and the reservoir level is brought down but
the floods do not come as per the forecast, then the reservoir level is left less than the
full reservoir level (FRL) at the end of filling period. On the other hand if the flood
warnings are neglected and the flood impinges, the authorities are not left with any
other alternative than to pass the flood downstream. Secondly, a dilemma is also faced
at the end of depletion period. When a carryover has been kept in the reservoir at the
end of depletion period, the effective storage capacity during the filling period is
reduced. If the next year happens to be wet year, then inflows may have to be spilled
over to keep a space in the reservoir to store the inflows. This also diminishes the flood
control effectiveness of the reservoir. However when a carryover is not kept, it is not
possible to offset the effect of delayed or poor monsoons in the ensuing filling period.
The operating and regulating authorities are therefore called upon to make an attempt
to meet the conflicting requirements of conservation and flood control by judicious
combination of principles of operation of reservoirs.

The general principles for optimum utilization of storage reservoirs can be summarized
as under:
Optimum utilization of water for irrigation
Optimum utilization of water for generation of power
Avoidance of floods and
To save some water in the reservoirs at the end of depletion period to hedge
against poor or delayed monsoons in the ensuing filling period.
2.2 Case Study
The operation of storage reservoirs at Bhakra and Beas on Sutlej and Beas rivers
respectively is being carried out by Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) while that
of Ranjit Sagar dam on river Ravi is being carried out by Punjab. The distribution of
waters of the three eastern rivers of Sutlej, Beas and Ravi is being made as per
interstate agreements between Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. While the distribution
of waters of river Sutlej is done individually, the waters of rivers Ravi and Beas are
combined together and distributed among the participating states in fixed and agreed
upon ratios. However, it has been agreed upon that BBMB will be responsible for the
distribution of Ravi-Beas waters to the beneficiary states in correct proportions and
quantities. The scenario thus emerging out of the above makes BBMB as the regulation
authority for all the waters of three eastern rivers. The operation of Ranjit Sagar dam is
carried out by Punjab government in an integrated manner with the operation of Bhakra
and Pong reservoirs so that the agreed upon shares from Sutlej and Ravi- Beas waters
are available to all the participant states viz. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, J&K and
Delhi.
In all, BBMB regulates the supplies of rivers Sutlej, Beas and Ravi amounting to about
35,000 million m3 (28 MAF) annually to the beneficiaries. The supplies irrigate about 5
million ha (1 crore 25 lakh acres) of lands besides providing drinking water to many

towns enroute and generate about 10,000-12,000 million units of cheap and clean
Hydro Power.
The operation of reservoirs calls for:
An elaborate and fairly reliable accumulation and assimilation of decision support
data,
Sound decision making
Healthy day to day implementation of decisions and
Making of continuous improvements in operation based on latest technology
and updated data.
2.2.1 An elaborate and fairly reliable accumulation and assimilation of decision
support data,
The decision support data mainly comprises the:
Constitution of inflows; patterns of inflows based on long range flow series and
inflows into the reservoirs based on these patterns,
Reservoir Capacities
Estimation of inflows with the help of various instruments to record the rainfall,
humidity, snowfall, evaporation, temperatures, sunshine hours, wind velocity,
gauge discharge sites etc. in the catchment areas and through analysis of fore

cast of rainfall, snowfall and consequent runoffs etc.

Filling and depletion periods
Guide lines for filling and depletion of reservoirs;
The sharing of waters
The system of channels for passing of the shares to the beneficiaries.

2.2.1.1 Inflows
The inflows into Bhakra reservoir come mainly from river Sutlej and its tributaries. (Beas
diverted waters also form a part of inflows into Bhakra reservoir). Sutlej has its origin in
the Mansrovar Lake in Tibet. It covers a distance of about 322 km before entering the
Indian territory near Shipki in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. At Namgia it is
joined by its main Himalayan tributary, the Spiti. Many Himalayan glaciers drain into its
tributaries in Kinnaur district. The catchment area is fed by snowfall at higher altitudes
7

during winter months and rainfall due to monsoons from July to September in lower
catchment areas. The total catchment area of Sutlej is 56,680 sq. km out of which only
19820 sq km lies in India which can be further divided into three parts. Part I- about
5030 sq km just upstream of Bhakra gets only rainfall, part II- about 5550 sq km gets
both rainfall and snow fall and the uppermost part III about 9240 sq km gets only snow
fall and almost no rainfall. The permanent snow line in area of the Himalayas is at 5500
m. Major portion of snow catchment is inaccessible. The annual rainfall in Sutlej
catchment is 1136 mm
The Beas Dam at Pong (Beas Reservoir) and Beas Sutlej Link are fed by river Beas.
The Beas river rises in the Himalayas from Beas Kund near Rohtang Pass. At Pandoh,
about 20 km upstream of Mandi town, it has been tapped by making an earth cum rock
fill dam for diverting its flows to a maximum extent of 255 cumecs (9000 cusecs) into
river Sutlej through nearly 40 km long water conductor system comprising two tunnels
and an open hydel channel. The diverted Beas water has been utilized to produce 990
MW of power at its confluence point with Sutlej at Dehar by exploiting a fall of over 300
m. Downstream of Pandoh dam, the Beas traverses about 130 km upto Pong where it
has been tapped by another earth cum rock fill dam which is a storage dam called Beas
Dam at Pong. The total catchment area of Beas is about 12560 sq km out of which
5278 sq km is upstream of Pandoh. The catchment area downstream Pandoh is mainly
rain fed with annual rainfall of about 2100 mm. Many tributaries join the river upstream
and downstream of Pandoh Dam.
The third river, the Ravi also rises in the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh. This has been
tapped upstream of Madhopur by making yet another earth cum rockfill dam called
Ranjit Sagar dam. The river Ravi has also been linked with river Beas through a link
called Madhopur Beas Link
The Sutlej and Beas catchments are depicted in the figure -3 given below

Figure 3- Sutlej and Beas catchments

The inflows during winter into Bhakra and Beas (Pong) dam reservoirs are fairly
constant and of lower magnitude during winter. These rise gradually during months of
April, May and June due to snow melt. However, typical of monsoon driven tropical
climates of the lower catchments of Bhakra and Pong reservoirs, the inflows further rise
during July- September.
The inflows into rivers Sutlej, Beas and Ravi depending on dry (90% probability),
dependable (67% probability) and mean (average) year patterns are given as under:
Inflows into Bhakra (Sutlej only)
Flow Series

Dry Year

Dependable Year

Mean Year

(MAF)

(MAF)

(MAF)

1909 to 57

----

----

13.6( As per
designer's criteria)

1909 to 97-98

8.807

10.900

13.059

1909 to 2007-08

8.523

10.751

12.829

Inflows into Bhakra including Beas diverted water

Flow Series

Dry Year

Dependable Year

Mean Year

(MAF)

(MAF)

(MAF)

1909 to 1997-98

12.263

14.689

17.145

1909 to 2007-08

11.901

14.494

16.869

Inflows into Beas Reservoir( down stream Pandoh dam)

Flow Series

Dry Year

Dependable Year

Mean Year

(MAF)

(MAF)

(MAF)

1922-23 to 97-98

3.567

5.660

8.115

1922-23 to 2007-08

3.492

5.461

7.914

Dry Year

Dependable Year

Mean Year

(MAF)

(MAF)

(MAF)

3.956

5.300

6.933

Inflows into Ranjit Sagar dam

Flow Series

1921-22 to 97-98

2.2.1.2 The reservoir capacities

10

The

reservoir

capacities

in

million

cubic

meters

are

given

as

under:

2.2.1.3 Estimation of Inflows -Traditional Observation and Communication Setup

The inflows into the reservoirs vary according to the snowmelt runoff and rainfall. As
such the knowledge of snow accumulation and snow melt as well as quantum of rainfall
in the catchment area is essential for predicting the runoffs in the rivers.
The BBMB had set up a number of snow gauge/ snow observatories, rain gauges,
discharge measuring sites, hydro meteorological observatories and evaporimeter
observatories in Sutlej and Beas catchments to assess inflows into the reservoirs. A net
work of wireless communication system had also been set up for proper and speedy
communication of data to the processing stations. For estimation of snow melt runoff
11

during April, May and June in river Sutlej, BBMB engages the services of National
Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) who based on the data supplied by BBMB from their
observatories and satellite imageries provided an estimation of such inflows. The rainfall
inflows are estimated on the basis of forecast of rainfall provided by the India
Meteorological Department (IMD). These estimations help BBMB in planning of the
operation of reservoirs.
A sketch of the various hydro meteorological stations set up in Sutlej and Beas
catchments is given as Figure -4 under

Figure -4 Hydro meteorological stations in Sutlej and Beas

Various Traditional Hydro-meteorological stations in Sutlej and Beas catchments are as
under:
Sr.

Hydro-meteorological

No. of Hydro-meteorological stations

no.

station

Sutlej catchment

1
2
3
4

Snow-gauge Observatories
Snow-gauge Stations
Rain-gauge Stations
Discharge Sites

4
17
13
9
12

Beas catchment
24
15

Evaporimeter

Observatories
Meteorological

Observatories
The wireless stations of the wireless network (shown in fig 5 below) in the catchment
areas are connected to the main stations as under:

Fig 5-Wireless Stations Network

Nangal for Sutlej catchment
Talwara Township for catchment area of river Beas downstream of Pandoh dam
and to receive data from the catchment of river Ravi through the wireless network of
Punjab Government.
Sunder Nagar for catchment area of river Beas upstream of Pandoh Dam
All the main stations are also connected to BBMB Head Quarters at Chandigarh and
liaison office at Delhi.
2.2.1.4 Filing and Depletion periods

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The reservoir operation has been classified into two distinct periods viz. Filling Period
and Depletion period. Filling period which covers the Monsoon months when kharif
crops are sown commences from 21 st May and lasts up to 20 th September in case of
Bhakra

reservoir and from 21st June upto 20th September in case of Beas dam

reservoir. The depletion period which covers the rabi crops commences from 21 st
September and lasts upto 20 th May in case of Bhakra Reservoir and upto 20 th June
incase of Beas Dam reservoir. As per the Bhakra Nangal agreement 1959, entered into
between erstwhile state of Punjab and Rajasthan for sharing of waters of river Sutlej,
either party is free to utilize the Kharif or Rabi supplies in whatever way it likes but the
transfer of supplies allocated for the period from 21 st September to 20th May or vise
versa is not permitted.
2.2.1.5

Guide lines for filling and depletion of reservoirs;

As per the decision of the Bhakra Beas Management Board, the Bhakra reservoir is not
to be filled beyond 502.92 m (1650ft.) by 15th July, beyond 509.016 m (1670 ft.) by 15 th
August and beyond 512.064m (1680 ft.) by 31 st August. Maximum levels at Bhakra and
Pong are to be kept as 512.064m (1680 ft.) and 423.672m (1390 ft.) respectively.
However in case the levels are allowed to rise a little higher than these values for the
purpose of flood routing/absorption and to avoid synchronization of releases with those
of rivulets downstream of the dams, the levels are to be brought down as soon as the
conditions downstream of the reservoirs permit.
The depletion of the reservoirs is planned on the basis of reservoir levels at the end of
filling period and by assuming dry year inflows into the reservoirs during the depletion
period. The releases are based on 10 daily irrigation requirements of participating states
in proportion to their shares. The availability of water is updated continuously.
2.2.1.6 Sharing of Waters
a) Sharing of Sutlej waters
The Bhakra- Nangal Agreement entered into by the states of erstwhile Punjab and
Rajasthan specified the shares of Sutlej waters between these states. After
14

reorganisation of erstwhile Punjab into Punjab and Haryana in 1966, the share of
Haryana was derived from the share of erstwhile Punjab.
The overall shares of these three States are

57.88% 32.31% and 9.81% in respect of

Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan respectively

b) Sharing of Ravi-Beas waters
As per Inter-State Agreement signed on 31.12.1981 by the states of Punjab, Haryana
and Rajasthan, out of total 20.56 MAF of Ravi Beas Water according to flow series
1921-1960, the following distribution was decided after deducting pre-partition use of
3.13 MAF and transit losses in Madhopur Beas Link of 0.26 MAF:
State

Share in MAF

Share in terms of percentages of

the inflows

Punjab
Haryana

4.22 MAF
3.50 MAF

30%
21%

Rajasthan
Delhi
J&K

8.60 MAF
0.20 MAF (Fixed
0.65 MAF (Fixed)

49%
0.20 MAF (Fixed
0.65 MAF (Fixed

Total:

17.17 MAF

2.2.1.7 The system of channels for passing of the shares to the beneficiaries.
The Sutlej water is delivered to :
Punjab via Bhakra Main Line, Sirhind canal and Bist Doab canal

Haryana via Bhakra Main Line d/s RD 3,90.000 ft. and Narwana Branch d/s RD
1,60,000 ft.

Rajasthan via Haryana from channels offtaking from Bhakra Main Line and via
Punjab from Harike out of Ravi Beas waters equivalent to the used Sutlej waters
by Punjab in Sirhind Canal group at Ropar out of Rajasthans share.
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The Ravi Beas waters are taken by :

Punjab from channels off taking at Madhopur and Harike headworks

Rajasthan from Harike headworks

Haryana from Bhakra Main Line along with Sutlej waters

Delhi through Haryana via Bhakra Main Line Narwana Branch
A sketch showing rivers and canal system is given under as figure 6

Figure 6
2.2.2 Sound Decision Making
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The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has constituted a Committee called
Technical Committee headed by the Chairman of the Board for deciding releases from
the reservoirs. The other members are comprised of Whole Time Members of the
Board, Chief Engineers of Irrigation departments of the partner states and Technical
Members of the State Electricity Boards (Power Utilities). Director Agriculture Punjab
and Chief Engineer Central Water Commission are the special invitees. The committee
meets at the end of every month for regulating supplies of water to the partner states for
the next month based on 10 daily basis. The committee is provided with a comparison
of actual and assumed inflows and probable power generation based on the Water
Power studies for dry, dependable and mean year patterns. The other various studies
depict the proposed releases during the remaining filling /depletion period based on the
existing position of reservoirs, likely inflows and planned requirements of the states
within their permissible shares. The feedback on all other relevant decision support
data such as likely /actual inflows in Sutlej due to snow melt during the months of April,
May and June based on the studies carried out by NRSA and monsoon inflows as
assessed on the forecasts of IMD is also provided.. The general procedure adopted is
as under:
Outflows from reservoirs are distinctly divided into two categories period wise:
Outflows during Filling Period from 21 May to 20 September.
Outflows during Depletion Period from 21 September to 20 May.
The outflows during filling period are decided as per requirements of the partner states
subject to storing sufficient water to meet requirement during Depletion period. Out
flows during the depletion period are decided on the basis of availability of water and
requirements of the states during particular 10 daily period based on their respective
balance shares. The availability of water for the depletion period is assessed at the end
of filling period by measuring the actual storage and by estimating the inflows during
depletion period based on the dry year pattern of runoff. Some reserves at the end of
depletion period to hedge against poor or delayed monsoons in the ensuing rainy
season are also planned. The revised shares/ availability due to the states based on
17

actual inflow patterns are intimated to the states every month for planning requirements
by them.
The outflows are restricted to irrigation demand of the states in order to avoid any
spillage of water to Pakistan. During some extraordinary power requirements, the
releases are adjusted in interest of power generation without causing any spillage to
Pakistan. A daily record of out flows from reservoirs of Bhakra Dam, Beas dam and
Ranjit Sagar dams and deliveries at contact points of the beneficiary states is
maintained.
2.2.3 Healthy day to day implementation of decisions.
The deliveries at the contact points of Haryana and other partner states are monitored
keenly and any short fall being passed on is brought to the notice of concerned
authorities and correct discharges are restored.
The day to day regulation of releases based on the field conditions of the day forms a
very important assignment of the Regulation Engineers. Sudden gains due to rains and
subsequent reduction in demand of water, sudden damage to the carrier channels,
sudden reduction in power demand,/Grid failure etc. have to be considered while
deciding exact daily releases from the reservoirs. The decision has to be made keeping
in view the different and long time periods required for the water for traversing long
distances between release and consumption points.
The Regulation of Ranjit Sagar dam is not vested with the Bhakra Beas Management
Board. However as per the agreement of 1981 for sharing of Ravi Beas waters, BBMB
has been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring correct supplies to the partner
states as per their shares. This makes BBMB as the sole body for planning/ executing /
monitoring of the waters of all the three eastern rivers viz, Sutlej, Beas and Ravi to the
partner states. This requires for a strict liaison with the Punjab Government and Punjab
State Power Corporation (PSPC) with respect to releases planned by them from Ranjit
Sagar Reservoir. In fact, the releases from Ranjit Sagar reservoir are decided in the
Technical Committee meetings based on an integrated operation in consonance with
the releases from Bhakra and Pong reservoirs.
18

A meticulous system of maintaining water accounts as per the allocation and decision of
the Technical Committee meetings is followed. The water accounts are reconciled at the
level of Assistant Engineers of the States every month. The water account is reconciled
at the Superintending Engineer level every three months. A significant characteristic of
the system is that no water accounts are lying unsettled.
2.2.4 The State of the Art Observation, Communication and Processing Set upThe Real Time Decision Support System
Growing concern due to extreme floods and droughts in many parts of the country and
competing demands on the scarce water resources has triggered a paradigm shift
towards comprehensive planning and management of water resources in a river basin
context. A reliable data base providing scientifically verified, uniformly acceptable and
widely accessible historical records is an essential prerequisite. India has since long
realized the essentials and thus has already adopted National Water Policy (NWP)-(first
issued in 1987 and subsequently revised in 2007).NWP lays emphasis on development
of a national hydrological information system. A wide data base in 9 states and 6 Central
agencies across the country has been established under the Government of Indias
World Bank financed Project called Hydrology Project I. It comprised horizontal
expansion viz.:

Establishment of Hydrological Information System (HIS) with standardized

hydrological data collection and processing

Establishment of institutional structures for coordinating project implementation

at national and state levels

Installation of 916 new river gauging sites

Establishment of 436 hydro meteorological stations

Establishment of 7,889 observation wells & 258 water quality labs

With a view to continue supporting the enhancement of a comprehensive HIS in India, a

sequel to HP-I in the form of HP-II was also launched comprising vertical expansion viz.
19

Strengthening the capacity of hydrology departments to develop and sustain the

use of HIS for hydrological designs and decision tools

Improving the capabilities of implementing agencies in using HIS for efficient

water resource planning

Establishing user friendly HIS for shared vision with improved access to public
agencies, civil society organisations and private sector.

Traditionally, flood forecasting by BBMB was and still continues to be done by observing
the river flow at some station sufficiently upstream of the point, where the forecast is
required. These observation stations are called base stations. Using historical data, a
mathematical relationship and a gauge to gauge or gauge to discharge correlation is
developed between the runoff at base station at time t 1 and the runoff at forecast station
at time t2.Wireless sets in HF frequency range carrying voice are being used for
communication between the base station and the forecast station.
Though the traditional system has been in operation for the past many years till a very
recent past at Bhakra and Pong, yet experience shows that it has many limitations viz.
Manual collection and communication of data is prone to mistakes/errors.
Since the data is communicated through wireless system, the communication
performance deteriorates during bad weather conditions in monsoons, when
requirement of data is crucial for reservoir operations.
Pictorial/graphical presentations of trends are not immediately available and have to
be drawn manually at the central stations causing delay which could be dangerous.
All gauges/stations are not ideally located as these have been provided near
populated areas, as some ideal locations are hazardous for habitation.
It has been observed that the forecasts received for snowmelt runoff from NRSA &
monsoon rainfall from IMD have large variation from actual runoff.

20

 For both the reservoirs, the catchment areas contributing heavy floods are located
very near to the reservoirs and as a consequence the advance time available for
forecasts is very limited.
With the advent and easy availability of computers, mathematical models are
increasingly being used for inflow and flood forecasting. Computer simulation offers a
high speed and effective tool for forecasting. The facility of computers enables frequent
updating of predictions based on the passage of the flows and for multiple alternatives
to be analyzed. Finally, all this is done in real time in the form of Real Time Decision
Support System (RT DSS) which is an integrated interactive computer system
consisting of analytical tools and information management capabilities, designed to aid
decision makers in solving relatively large, structured as well as unstructured problems
is a must.
To achieve above objective, development of Real Time Decision Support System has
been carried out by BBMB under HP-II Project financed by World Bank. The system
has been put into practice. The RTDSS comprises of the collection of data through
remote sensing instruments, setting up of radars for fairly accurate rain fore cast,
transmission of data in real time through satellites and analysis of the same based on
mathematical models in real time.
RTDSS will provide top management with a well structured, user friendly, practical
and complete water resources management information system.
RTDSS will provide necessary data & reports at the desired intervals, which will
facilitate integrated reservoirs operation decisions from time to time and at short
intervals for optimum utilization of water.
Real Time DSS will be useful for issuing reliable advance flood warning for
preparation of evacuation plan to save the lives and properties.
It will facilitate the management to assess the consequences of a set of choices at
faster rate. It will also improve quality of decision through increased consistency and
transparency
RTDSS will promote learning as it explains to the user the process in reaching a
particular recommendation with reasoning.

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 In process of developing RT DSS Under HP-II, a huge database and reports of the
Sutlej & Beas catchments will be generated, which will be of great use for other
hydropower developers in the basins as well.
A few illustrations/pictures of the modern data collecting stations set up under RTDSS
and Processing system and station are given as under:

Fig -7

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Fig 8

Fig.9
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Fig 10
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