Heavy rain threatens breach in Nangal Hydel Canal; embankments damaged at 9 locations

Heavy rain continued to batter the Ropar region today as well. The rainfall has damaged embankments of the Nangal Hydel Canal, which is managed by the BBMB, at nine places.

The damage to its embankments has posed a threat of breach in canal, causing panic among villagers living along it. The villagers gathered at the spots where the canal was damaged and helped the BBMB authorities in repairing it.

Highly placed sources within BBMB have attributed the damage to the concrete lining of the canal at three locations to sudden requests from partner states to reduce water flow in the Nangal Hydel Canal. They explained that abrupt reductions in water flow — especially during the monsoon — impose additional pressure on the canal structure, which is already at risk. Irrigation department officials of the BBMB also cited a manpower shortage as a contributing factor to poor canal upkeep. Although the irrigation wing of the Bhakra Dam circle has a sanctioned strength of 3,500, currently only around 1,500 workers are in position, and many key technician roles are lying vacant in the organisation.

Senior BBMB officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that water will not be completely stopped in Nangal Hydel Canal for repairs. The water flow in the canal has been reduced and repairs are being carried out.

The Anandpur Sahib Hydel Canal, which was maintained by Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL), was also facing damage to bundh at various places. Concerns regarding the structure of the canal were already being expressed as no money had been spent on its maintenance for the last two years. Here also, villagers and Kar Seva group from Kila Anandgarh Sahib were actively engaged in trying to fix the damage to embankments of the canal.

Due to increased flow in Sutlej, the earthen embanks of the river beyond Ropar headworks in Dhaulatpur village suffered serious damage. Ropar Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Singh Walia said that though the releases from Bhakra Dam ranged between 60,000 to 70,000 cusecs, inflows from tributaries of Sutlej, including Swan and Sirsa rivers increased water level in Sutlej beyond Ropar headworks. The said tributaries of Sutlej — that come from Himachal and enter the river in Ropar district — received over 1 lakh cusecs water due to heavy monsoon in the adjoining state, he said.

The residents of Daulatpur village near Ropar contributed and actively participated with district administration towards containing the damage to the earthen bundh along the Sutlej. The DC said that though the damage to bundhs of Sutlej has been contained, continuous vigil is being maintained along the banks of the river.