Due to continuous heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, flood situation persists in the plains of Punjab. While the Punjab government is engaged in rescue and relief operations in the state, the Bhakra-Beas Management Board (BBMB) has informed on Wednesday that on July 13, another 16,000 cusecs of water will be released from the Bhakra Nangal Dam into the Sutlej. The doors also have to be opened. Obviously, this step of BBMB may worsen the flood situation in Punjab.

The water level in Sutlej river and its canals will increase further, due to which the problem of water logging in the areas along the river and canals will become more acute. In a communication sent to the concerned officials of the Punjab Government, the BBMB has said that due to increase in the water level in Bhakra Dam, it has become necessary to release water in Nangal Dam. In this way, due to increase in the water level in Nangal Dam, the gates of Nangal Dam will also have to be opened on July 13.

The message from BBMB said that at present 19000 cusecs of water has been released from Bhakra Dam, but in view of continuous water coming into the dam, it has been decided to release more than 16000 cusecs of water. According to BBMB, on July 13, a total of 35000 cusecs of water will be released from Bhakra Dam through turbines in 10 hours. This will make it necessary to release water downstream from Nangal Dam in Sutlej River and about 20000 cusecs of water will be released from Nangal Dam.

BBMB Water Regulation Management Senior Engineer Vinay Kumar said that on July 12, 2023, at 10 am, the water level of Pong Dam was recorded at 1364.24 feet. The arrival of water is 55557 cusecs. Through the turbines of Pong Power House, 18324 cusecs of water is being released into the Shah Canal Barrage. During the last years, water has been stored up to 1395.00 feet only in Pong Dam. Till now there is less than 30.76 feet of water to reach here.