Flood gates of Bhakra dam opened, BBMB issues warning

With the water level in the Bhakra Dam rising close to its capacity, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has started releasing water in a controlled manner today.

According to a schedule issued by the Senior Design Engineer, Water Regulation, BBMB Nangal, the floodgates of the dam were opened at 3 pm.  While in the first phase the flood gates were opened by one foot, in the second phase at 4 PM, water will be released by two feet. In the third phase at 5 PM up to three feet including radial and flood control gates.

The BBMB administration has directed officials to strictly follow the plan to ensure the water release process remains safe and smooth.

The sources here said that the as per the rules formed by BBMB till August 19^th the water level at Bhakra Dam should have been 1662 feet. However, today it was 1665 feet which 3 feet above the rules set. Besides there where predictions of heavy rains in Sutlej catchment area on August 24 and 25^th. The weather predictions also indicated to heavy rains in the month of September.

Sources added that the BBMB would release about 45000 cusecs water today from Bhakra Dam to bring the water level down to 1662 feet. Out of this 22000 cusecs would be released in the natural flow of Sutlej river which the remaining 23000 cusecs would be released in Nangal Hydel canal that later connects with Bhakra main line and Anandpur Sahib hydel canal which ultimately joins Sutlej river near Kiratpur Sahib.

It was the first time this season that the flood gates of Bhakra dam were being opened up.

Due to water release from Bhakra Dam warning has been issued to people residing in Bela region that falls inside the river bed of Sutlej and people residing on banks of river to avoid venturing near coastal areas of the river.