Baglihar Dam gates opened following heavy rain in region

All the spillway gates of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project in Ramban district have been opened following heavy rainfall. The district authorities issued warnings to the general public not to go near the riverbank.

“I received an advisory note from the engineering and mechanical division of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project, stating that they will open their gates. They asked us to issue an advisory in this regard,” Ramban Addl Deputy Commissioner Varunjeet Singh Charak said.

“We have issued an advisory to the general public not to go near the tributaries or the riverbank, as it could be dangerous.” The district administration has issued an advisory directing all relevant Revenue, Police, SDRF, and Rural Development Department officers to coordinate closely and jointly monitor the situation along the Chenab river banks.

To prevent accidents, local authorities—including lamberdars, chowkidars, GRS, and VLWs—have been instructed to advise residents to avoid movement near the riverbanks, including people, livestock, rafts and vehicles.

Meanwhile, NHPC officials reported that persistent heavy rainfall has raised water levels in the Chenab. As a precautionary measure, all spillways of the Baglihar Dam have been opened to release excess water.

The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar issued a fresh weather advisory, warning residents about potential flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones in vulnerable areas over the coming days.

The weather is predicted to remain mostly hot and humid till August 3, with isolated rain or thundershower activity in a few places. Between August 4 and 6, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely across many areas of Jammu and Kashmir, with the possibility of heavy downpours in certain locations of Jammu Division, particularly during late night and early morning hours.