Chandigarh: Punjab faces heightened flood concerns after authorities released water from both the Bhakra Dam and Sukhna Lake, raising water levels in the Sutlej and Ghaggar rivers. The situation has become critical in several districts, with the administration advising residents in low-lying areas to remain vigilant.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for rainfall in Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, and Rupnagar, warning of heavy showers in the coming three days. Additional alerts have also been sounded in Mohali, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, and Rupnagar, while Jammu and Kashmir remains under an orange alert and Himachal Pradesh under a yellow alert until October 2. Officials caution that renewed heavy rainfall in these hill states could worsen Punjabโs situation.
Although Punjab recorded no major rainfall on Thursday, helping the Ravi riverโs water level recede slightly, continuous discharge from upstream dams has aggravated the flood threat. According to officials, the Bhakra reservoir is currently eight feet below the danger mark, yet precautionary releases of water have been made to manage inflows.
In Chandigarh, rising water levels at Sukhna Lake forced the administration to open two flood gates, sending more water into the Ghaggar. As a result, the riverโs flow crossed 70,000 cusecs at 8 a.m. today, sparking alarm in downstream villages.
Residents in parts of Patiala districtโincluding Untsar, Nanheri, Sanjarpur, Lachru, Kamalpur, Rampur, Saunta, and several othersโhave been placed on high alert. Similar warnings have been issued to villages along the Derabassi sub-division, such as Tiwana, Khajur Mandi, Sadhanpur, Sarasini, Alamgir, Dangdhera, Mubarikpur, Mirpur, and Bakarpur, which are most vulnerable to flooding.
Meanwhile, the disruption has spilled over to transportation, with train services through Punjab affected due to waterlogging in adjoining Jammu and Kashmir, forcing the cancellation of several services.
Officials said disaster management teams are on standby to carry out rescue and relief work if needed, while monitoring of river embankments continues around the clock.
