BBMB opens Bhakra floodgates, ask officials to remain on high alert
KS Diwan/ royalpatiala.in/ Chandigarh
The floodgates of Bhakra Dam were opened on Friday afternoon as the water-level at Bhakra dam reached 1674 feet
Earlier in the day, Director, Water Regulation Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Nangal Township has issued a advisory to the Deputy Commissioners of Una, Bilaspur, Kangra in himacahl Pradesh and Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur in Punjab along with Chief Engineers of Pong Dam, Bhakra Dam, BBMB Nangal, Drainage Punjab, Canals Punjab along with other officials to remain on high alert.
As per the Fax Message sent to them,” Today dated 16-8-2019, the level of Bhakra at 6:00 hours is 1673.88 feet . The maximum levels of Bhakra for storage purposes are 1680.00 feet. Presently about 36,000 cusecs being released continuously through turbines. The level of Bhakra dam is quiet high and there is IMD forecast of good rains in the catchment in coming days. So, excess water will be released gradually through spillway w.e.f 3:00 pm today. Although water would be gradually released and efforts will be made to restrict the release to 50,000 cusecs. However, in case of continues heavy inflows releases more that 50,000 cusecs could be made for the safety of Bhakra Dam. Every efforts will be made to avoid any synchronization with downstream rivulets thereby ensuring the safety of people in the downstream areas.
It is. therefore ,requested that suitable instructions may be issued to concerned irrigation/Drainage authorities/ Civil authorities / Field officers so that flood control arrangements may be put in place to tackle the situation and resuce the people in case of eventuality of floods”
As per experts the Bhakra water-level is required to be kept at 1,650 feet by July 31, 1,670 feet by August 15 and 1,680 feet by August 31.
