Punjab prepares for floods; control rooms activated in all 23 districts

As water level in Punjab’s dams continues to rise following rains in the hilly areas, the state government has set up control rooms in all 23 districts of the state.

These control rooms will be operational round the clock and sensitive and flood-prone areas are being monitored, said a senior government official. Real-time monitoring of rivers and drainage is continuing in potential flood-prone areas, he said.

As of Thursday, the water level in the three dams though within safe limits, is rising slowly. The water level in Bhakra Dam is 1,637.4 ft (1,680 ft is maximum it can hold), Pong Dam 1,373.08 ft (maximum it can hold is 1,390 ft), and in Ranjit Sagar Dam is 1,694.64 feet (maximum it can hold is 1,731.55 ft).

Official sources say the deputy commissioners have been asked to stay alert and ensure that timely warnings are issued in case of any emergency. “Each control room is working under the supervision of a junior engineer,” said the official.