Rainwater inundates Bhakra Dam power house galleries

Rainwater entered a Bhakra Dam power house here last night, prompting the staff there to launch immediate water removal operations.

Meanwhile, the roads leading to the two power houses constructed on both banks of the dam were blocked by the debris from the landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in adjoining hills.

The roads remained blocked till the filing of the report on Monday evening.

According to officials, rainwater had inundated galleries of the Bhakra Left Bank Power House.

The damaged was prevented in the nick of the time after the staff working there noticed it and launched a water removal exercise.

The blocked roads prevented other staff members from reaching the power house. The workers working there were also struck. Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Chief Engineer Jagjit Singh said timely intervention by the staff prevented any substantial damage to the power house.

“Heavy pumps were put into service to remove water from the power house. The power generation there is continuing and has not been disrupted,” he added. The Chief Engineer said efforts were being made to reopen the roads. Erosion weakens banks of canals

Meanwhile, two major canals originating from Nangal Dam face the threat of a breach near Anandpur Sahib’s Mindwa village due to erosion of their banks caused by incessant rain.

The BBMB staff and district officials rushed to the village to take stock of the situation.

The erosion was more severe along the Anandpur Sahib hydel canal, which is being maintained by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).

Local villagers with the help of volunteers from Kila Anandgarh Sahib immediately started strengthening the banks.

Education Minister and Anandpur Sahib legislator Harjot Singh Bains said “massive erosion along the Anandpur Sahib hydel canal banks was noticed by local villagers”.

“Had timely action not been taken, the canal water would have flooded several villages in the area,” he said.

According to sources, the Anandpur Sahib hydel canal was in poor shape due to the lack of upkeep by the PSPCL. Erosion was also noticed along the Nangal hydel canal maintained by the BBMB. Bhakra Dam Chief Engineer CP Singh said the damaged portion was covered with plastic sheets while workers were engaged in undoing the damage.

According to sources, the BBMB authorities will have to reduce the water discharge into both canals for the repair work, necessitating the release of more water into the Sutlej, which might pose danger to villages located along the riverbanks.