PAC Blames BBMB, Punjab Government for ‘Man-Made’ Floods; Moves NGT: By SamvadPatar Bureau | Ludhiana | September 9, 2025: The Public Action Committee (PAC) has accused the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and the Punjab government of causing Punjab’s recurring floods through negligence and mismanagement. Terming them “man-made disasters,” PAC has now moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT), demanding accountability and an independent audit of flood management practices.
PAC Slams BBMB for Premature Water Release
At a press conference in Ludhiana, PAC members Kuldeep Singh Khaira, Er. Kapil Arora, Jaskirat Singh, and Dr. Amandeep Singh Bains alleged that premature release of water from Bhakra and Pong dams caused sudden floods this year — even before the reservoirs hit maximum safe levels.
“This was not a natural disaster but a human error,” said Jaskirat Singh, recalling how PAC had already flagged BBMB’s lapses in 2023.
PAC also alleged that BBMB removed dam operation data from its official website, making it difficult to track real-time decisions.
State Government Accused of Ignoring Warnings
PAC claimed that despite India Meteorological Department (IMD) alerts in early August 2025, the Punjab government failed to act.
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River bunds were not strengthened after last year’s floods.
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Illegal mining and encroachments on riverbeds were allowed to continue, worsening biodiversity loss and damage.
“Our warnings were ignored, and the consequences are for everyone to see,” said Dr. Bains.
Old Lessons Still Unlearnt
PAC pointed out that in 1988, inflows touched 7.97 lakh cusecs in a single day, yet BBMB continues to maintain outdated Full Reservoir Levels (FRL) — Bhakra at 1,680 feet and Pong at 1,390 feet.
A 2014 Central Water Commission (CWC) report had advised BBMB to review these levels, but the board is still following parameters set in 1990.
“The Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) guidelines require a cushion for extreme rainfall, but BBMB has rigidly followed old rule curves,” argued Kapil Arora.
PAC’s Demands Before NGT
PAC’s petition before the NGT seeks:
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An independent audit of BBMB’s rule curve and Punjab’s flood management by a panel led by a retired High Court judge and experts from the National Institute of Hydrology.
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Compensation for flood-hit families, in line with Supreme Court precedents.
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Fixing accountability of both BBMB and the Punjab government for recurring losses.
“Floods in Punjab are about negligence and mismanagement. Unless responsibility is fixed, these disasters will keep repeating,” said Khaira.
