After two years, flood gates of Bhakra dam opened to save the dam
Kanwar Inder Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ August 19,2025
After two years, the flood gates of Bhakra Dam are opened to release 45000 cusecs of water, in phased manner. Today, the water level of Bhakra dam touched 1665. 37 feet when the authorities decided to release 45000 cusecs of water- 38000 cusecs through turbine and 7000 cusecs through spillway.
As per senior functionary of BBMB on the condition of anonymity said “ IMD has predicted heavy rainfall on August 23,24,25 in the region, including Himachal Pradesh and catchment areas of the dam. To remain safe, the board has decided to release the water in phased manner and to avoid the releasing of large quantity of water in one go. The Board authorities are keeps an eagle’s eye on the situation. If the inflow of water in the reservoir remains high and water level increases, the board will do the same exercise in phased manner, in coming days with prior intimation to the concerned partner states”
It was on August 13,2023 when the flood gates of Bhakra Dam was last time opened to release water when the water level at Bhakra dam touched 1672 against the capacity of 1680.82. So, the authorities decided to do a trial run and planned to release around 8000 cusecs of water through the flood gates. This was in addition to the water released through the power generation turbines.
Today, the board authorities have opened the gate as per the plan, at 3 PM.
As per the plan, the flood control gates are opened by one foot, in the second phase at 4 PM by two feet, and in the third phase at 5 PM up to three feet including radial and flood control gates.
Deputy commissioner Rupnagar Varjeet Singh Walia said “ the situation is under control. There is no need to panic as everything is done in planned manner. He said that no alert has been issued in areas adjoining river Sutlej downstream Nangal dam.”
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