After days of alarm, Bhakra Dam water level dips slightly, bringing relief to Punjab
On September 1, the Bhakra Dam’s level stood at 1675.42 feet and climbed steadily, reaching 1679.05 feet by September 4 — a 3.63 feet rise in just over three days.
3 min read
Alerts were also issued for villages near Jhamboo choe, a stream that flows into the Ghaggar river. (Source: File)After more than a week of relentless rise, the water level in the Bhakra Dam finally showed a marginal decline on Friday, offering a sliver of relief to flood-hit Punjab. The dam’s water level, which had touched 1,679.05 feet by Thursday noon, dropped by 0.43 feet to 1,678.62 feet in the last 24 hours.
The full storage capacity of the Bhakra Dam, built on the border of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, is capped at 1,680 feet.
“It is a matter of great relief that the level has reduced by 0.43 feet, as there was no rain last night in the inflow areas of Himachal Pradesh. The weather cleared on Friday, and no rain is predicted for the day. Hence, we expect the level to go down by about half a foot by evening,” said Harjot Singh Bains, Punjab Education Minister and MLA who represents Anandpur Sahib, which is in the Ropar district.
Once released, the water of the Bhakra Dam reaches the Ropar district first.
Bains added that after the water was released Thursday, no breaches were reported in Chamkaur Sahib. “Though rainfall is predicted in Himachal Pradesh and parts of Punjab on Saturday, we still hope the level will remain stable for another two days. Let’s all pray and continue strengthening embankments and doing sewa wherever it is needed,” he said.
The decline comes after a worrying surge earlier in the week. On September 1, the dam’s level stood at 1675.42 feet and climbed steadily, reaching 1679.05 feet by September 4- a 3.63 feet rise in just over three days. Friday marked the first day of reversal, albeit slight.
According to the 8 am report Friday, inflow into the Bhakra Dam reduced from 95,435 cusecs Thursday to 76,318 cusecs. Outflow was brought down only marginally, from 85,000 to 80,792 cusecs. At Nangal dam downstream, water flow rose from 57,000 cusecs Thursday to 67,000 cusecs Friday.
However, the water level of Pong Dam as of Friday afternoon was 1394.77 feet, which was 1394.51 feet Thursday afternoon. Although a marginal surge, the silver lining here as well is that the inflow was 1,32,595 cusecs Thursday afternoon, which reduced to 107,205 cusecs by Friday afternoon. The outflow, however, increased from 91,167 cusecs Thursday afternoon to 99,673 cusecs Friday afternoon.
The water level in the Ranjit Sagar Dam Friday afternoon was 526.22 metre against the capped danger mark of 527.91 m. The Shahpur Kandi Dam was at 399.57 feet, against its capped storage capacity of 405 feet.
Meanwhile, the water levels at Hussainwala and Harike headworks, which had peaked at 3.3 lakh cusecs and 3.47 lakh cusecs, respectively, have eased to 3.02 lakh cusecs and 2.95 lakh cusecs. Harike Headworks, on the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas in the Tarn Taran district, directs water towards Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Tarn Taran, areas already grappling with flooding.
You May Like
