Patiala, April 28 -- Punjab is staring at a potential crisis ahead of paddy sowing season starting June 1 with most of the reservoirs needed for irrigation and power generation in the state and neighbouring Himachal Pradesh reporting water levels well below normal.

The low levels can hamper the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) ability to meet the peak power demand during paddy season which is slated to be around 17,500MW, warned experts.

According to the latest data released by the Central Water Commission (CWC) on April 24, the combined water storage in the key reservoirs of Himachal Pradesh is currently 40.67% below normal, while those Punjab the dip is sharper with water levels 44.85% below normal average.

These figure...