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Punjab Rivers Face Desilting Drive to Curb Floods
7 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Desilting operations are starting in Punjab's rivers to prevent floods.
- Bhakra Dam reservoir to undergo first-ever desilting project.
- Beas river desilting requires special permission due to Ramsar site status.
Punjab is launching extensive desilting operations across its rivers as a proactive measure against potential flooding. This initiative aims to enhance water flow and reduce the risk to lives and property.
The state is also set to undertake a landmark desilting project for the Bhakra Dam reservoir, a move expected to significantly boost its storage capacity. Decades of sediment accumulation have reduced the dam's original capacity, impacting its long-term sustainability and flood control.
However, desilting efforts on the Beas river present a complex environmental challenge. A considerable stretch of the river is a designated Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance, imposing specific restrictions that require special central government permission before maintenance work can commence.
