Flood threat looms over Punjab, Haryana towns

CHANDIGARH - District administrations in Punjab and Haryana Monday alerted the Indian Army and asked it to remain geared up for rescue operations as the threat of floods loomed large over many towns in the two states.

The release of water from the Bhakra Dam into the Satluj river has posed an immediate threat to the low-lying areas of Ropar district and the Sikhs’ religiously important towns of Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib in Punjab.

“BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) is releasing excess water in the Satluj river and there is an immediate threat of floods in the low-lying areas of Ropar and the villages adjacent to the river. At some places, water is already flowing above the danger mark,” Ropar Deputy Commissioner Arunjit Singh Miglani told IANS.

“We have made all arrangements to tackle any kind of emergency situation. We would take the help of the Indian Army to shift people to safe locations,” Miglani said.

So far, villages Burj, Jindwari, Gajpur, Ballowal, Dasgrain, Chandpur and Laudipur in the Ropar sub-division have been flooded.

The Ludhiana administration has also urged the Indian Army to remain on alert.

“The situation is under control but water level in Satluj is rising at an alarming pace. We are monitoring the situation and are ready to deal with any emergency,” Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari said.

In Haryana, water level in the Yamuna was flowing above the danger mark and the state government issued caution to the administrations of Yamunanagar, Karnal, Sonepat, Panipat, Faridabad and Palwal districts.

Over 50 villages in Yamunanagar district were inundated. Rescue work was on and people were evacuated to safe places.

Yamunanagar Deputy Commissioner Ashok Sanghwan said: “We have established a special control room where any flood victim can call for help. Overall situation is still under control. Our officials along with the district police are keeping round-the-clock vigil over the situation.”

According to an official, over 20 villages in Karnal district were affected as the Yamuna water flooded several acres of agriculture land there.

Last month, nearly a dozen villages of Punjab and Haryana were severely affected by floods. Over 50 people were killed.

A BBMB official said the release of water into Satluj is a normal exercise and it will continue in the coming days till the inflow of water from the catchment area subsides.

“For the last couple of days, the average everyday inflow in Bhakra Dam has been nearly 75,000 cusecs and we are releasing over 40,000 cusecs of water in the Satluj river. We will continue this routine as it is necessary to maintain the water level of Bhakra Dam,” BBMB spokesperson told IANS.

“The water level at the Bhakra Dam reached 1,672.72 feet by Sunday evening. This year, we had heavy rainfall in the catchment areas and in Himachal Pradesh as compared to last year. However, overall situation is under control and we are in continuous touch with the member-state governments,” he said.

BBMB is crucial for water supply and power generation for northern states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Bhakra Dam can safely store water up to the maximum height of 1,680 feet.