No lessons learnt: Punjab farmers fear repeat of 2023 floods as Bhakra opens floodgates

At 11 am Tuesday, the water level in Bhakra touched 1,665 feet, exceeding the prescribed safe mark of 1,650 feet. The water inflow peaked at 70,500 cusecs, compelling authorities to act before the reservoir approached its brim capacity of 1,680.82 feet.

The last time Bhakra’s gates were opened was on August 13, 2023, when a trial release of around 8,000 cusecs was carried out after water levels touched 1,672 feet.

BBMB officials said the Bhakra Dam floodgates are being opened in a phased and controlled manner to avoid a sudden rise in water levels downstream. Instead of releasing the full quantum at once, water is being discharged gradually through turbines and spillways so that the Sutlej can absorb the flow without causing immediate flooding in villages along its course, they said.

The Pong Dam also recorded a rising level of 1,383 feet, with an inflow of 84,000 cusecs and discharge of 66,000 cusecs. BBMB also announced that starting at 6 am Wednesday, the Pong Dam will release an extra 6000 cusecs of water into the Beas River due to increasing inflows.

With the fresh discharge, flood alerts have been issued in Rupnagar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Tarn Taran districts, while officials maintain 24×7 vigil over embankments and vulnerable areas.

The combined impact of Bhakra and Pong releases is expected to influence water levels and flood risk in several downstream regions. Himanshu Jain, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, conducted a flood prevention mock drill in Garhi Fazli village Tuesday.

Farmers recall 2023 floods

In Ferozepur and Fazilka, around 30 villages are already waterlogged.

“We are reminded of the 2023 floods, the way the Sutlej water is rising. My one acre of paddy has been under water for days and is beyond saving. This is not just nature’s fury, but a manmade situation,” said Sukhjinder Singh, a farmer from Retewali Bhaini village.

Others demanded compensation, pointing out that riverbed farmers have been denied relief since 2007 as the land records are not in their names, except once during former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal’s tenure.

“In 2023, Bhagwant Mann’s government backed out. Those who got aid received only ₹6,800 per acre. The government must wake up to farmers’ suffering,” said Baljinder Singh Babbu, former sarpanch of Hussainiwala village in Ferozepur.

Gaps in preparedness

Villagers warned that even basic flood protection work had been neglected.

“The roads and bundhs damaged in the 2023 floods were never repaired. If more water comes, villages will face huge destruction. Already, crops are gone, only houses are left,” said Iqbal Singh Mallah, nambardar of Muthianwala, Jamabega and Balamega.

Mallah alleged that officials were more focused on photo-ops with the ruling party’s supporters than addressing the plight of those worst-hit.

Experts warn of danger levels

Environmental groups have also flagged poor dam regulation.

“The danger mark for Bhakra is 1,650 feet, and it becomes uncontrollable beyond 1,675 feet. For Pong, the danger level is 1,390 feet and beyond 1,410 feet, it cannot be managed,” said Jaskirat Singh of Naroa Punjab Forum, an NGO working on river water issues.

“We had been raising this issue since August 7, that inflow was more and outflow was less, but action seems to have come only after the flood-like situation emerged.”

An alert for heavy rain has been issued in Himachal Pradesh from August 23 to August 25, following which the flood gates have been opened to release some water downstream.