Chandigarh: In anticipation of heavy to very heavy rainfall forecasted for October 6-7, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has decided to release an extra 40,000 cusecs of water from the floodgates of the Bhakra and Pong dams on Saturday. This controlled discharge will flow into the Sutlej and Beas rivers to manage reservoir levels ahead of the incoming rains.
The BBMB’s move comes after criticism over its previous decision to release surplus water, which opposition parties blamed for causing unprecedented flooding in Punjab during August and September.
According to officials, around noon on Saturday, an additional 8,000 cusecs will be released from Bhakra dam, while the Pong dam will discharge 32,000 cusecs. This will raise the total water release from Bhakra to 44,000 cusecs and from Pong to 50,000 cusecs. The decision was finalized during a technical committee meeting of the BBMB.
Meanwhile, the Ranjit Sagar dam on the Ravi River has already increased its outflow from 20,362 cusecs to 37,686 cusecs on Thursday, and this rate is expected to continue on Saturday, officials added.
The extra discharge is a precautionary step to create space in the reservoirs, considering the forecast of heavy rainfall across Punjab and the catchment areas of the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
Current dam water levels stand close to their danger marks: Bhakra at 1,672.88 feet (danger mark 1,680 feet), Pong at 1,388.47 feet (danger mark 1,390 feet), and Ranjit Sagar at 1,713.64 feet (danger mark 1,731.98 feet).
While this additional release will reduce dam water levels, the increased flow in the rivers may affect downstream regions. Authorities have instructed deputy commissioners of 17 vulnerable districts—including Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Tarn Taran—to remain vigilant and prepared for any emergencies. These districts had faced severe damage during recent floods, heightening concerns over the potential impact of the upcoming rainfall.
Officials continue to monitor the situation closely as the region braces for further heavy rains.
