Punjab villages flooded, alert sounded after more water released from Bhakra Dam

CHANDIGARH: Over a dozen villages in Anandpur Sahib sub division of Ropar district in Punjab were hit by flash floods after the Bhakra Beas Management Board(BBMB) released more water from the Bhakra Dam. Punjab government however said the flood situation in is totally under control and the irrigation department has taken all the precautionary measures to tackle any untoward situation.An official spokesman after the meeting of higher ups of the irrigation department chaired by Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said that the Punjab Government was keeping constant tab on the flood situation in the State and the as a precautionary measure all the Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to take necessary steps. He said that in continuance of this, the leaves of all the employees and officers of the department have been cancelled till September 15. He also stated that employees of the department have been issued directions to maintain round the clock vigil and patrolling along rivers and dams.
Dhillon said that due to the incessant rain in the neighboring state of Himachal Pradesh the water level in rivers and dams of Punjab has increased. He also said that statistics show that water level in the Bhakra Dam today stands at 1664.98 feet. Divulging more he said that the dam receives water at a rate of 76402 cusecs whereas it is released at a rate of 53049 cusecs. Similarly water level in the Pong Dam as of now stands at 1380.85 feet. The incoming level of water is 41256 cusecs while the release level is 46503 cusecs. The level of water in the Ranjit Sagar Dam as of now stands at 524.50 feet. The incoming level of water is 35233 cusecs while the release level is 19707 cusecs.
The Minister further said that although there was no information of water level in the rivers overflowing the banks but people living near the rivers have been affected to some extent. He also elaborated that people have been told to remain alert and the department is also keeping close contact with BBMB.The villages where floods have caused damage included Mataur, Burj, Lodhipur, Das Garain, Hariwal, Ballowal, Mehndi Kalan,, Nikkuwal, lower Baddal, and Chandpur Bela situated on the banks of river Satluj.