The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has released 45,000 cusecs of water from the Bhakra Dam into the Sutlej River after heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab pushed the reservoir close to its maximum storage level. This marks the first time in two years that the dam’s floodgates have been opened.
As of Tuesday, the water level at Bhakra stood at 1,665.37 feet just 15.45 feet below the danger mark of 1,680.82 feet, and nearly 35 feet higher than the same time last year. The discharge was carried out in phases, with 38,000 cusecs released through power-generating turbines and 7,000 cusecs via the spillway. Officials clarified that the step was taken as a precaution ahead of another forecast of heavy rainfall between August 23 and 25.
Downstream Preparations and Warnings
Authorities in Rupnagar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Tarn Taran have been put on flood alert. Residents living along the Sutlej have been advised to stay vigilant, particularly in low-lying areas. Punjab’s water resources minister Barinder Kumar Goyal directed deputy commissioners to ensure 24×7 monitoring of embankments, strict patrolling and readiness of relief camps with essential supplies, food and medical care.
Meanwhile, officials stressed that the water release is being managed carefully, with gates being opened gradually to minimise sudden flooding. Advance alerts have also been issued to partner states Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Pong and Ranjit Sagar Dams Under Pressure
The Pong Dam on the Beas River is also witnessing heavy inflows, with its water level crossing 1,383 feet. BBMB has decided to release an additional 6,000 cusecs starting Wednesday morning, which could push the total discharge up to 75,000 cusecs. Officials said the final release would depend on rainfall and inflow patterns, though concerns remain in Hoshiarpur’s Mukerian and Dasuya subdivisions where around 70 villages are vulnerable.
The Ranjit Sagar Dam on the Ravi River has also reported inflows much higher than last year. To prevent a cumulative flood impact, BBMB is coordinating water releases from all three dams while balancing power generation, reservoir capacity and downstream safety.
In Kapurthala district, rising waters of the Beas have already submerged vast stretches of farmland, damaging crops across several villages. Farmers, recalling the devastation of 2023 floods, fear heavy losses once again. District officials said relief camps, fodder supplies and medical support are being arranged for affected families.