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No danger of floods in Punjab, says official

Staff Correspondent

Bhakhra dam water level is 1677.15feet; the maximum is fixed at 1,680 feet

CHANDIGARH: The Chairman of the Bhakhra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Rakesh Nath, has sought to allay fears that Punjab is facing a situation like the one in 1988 when water was released leading to floods in some parts of the State.

Referring to reports in a section of the regional media while addressing a press conference at the BBMB headquarters on Friday evening, Mr. Nath said that as per records, the level of water in the Bhakhra Dam was 1677.15feet, while the maximum level was fixed at 1,680 feet. Revealing that the full reservoir limit was 1,690 feet, he stressed that 1,680 feet was not the danger mark as was being referred to.

Mr. Nath, who was accompanied by BBMB's Member (Irrigation) Anil Arora and Secretary P. S. Tulsi, said the dam could easily manage an upstream flood of two lakh cusecs. He said that as per guidelines of the Board, the Bhakhra reservoir levels should not exceed 1,626 feet on July 31; 1,662 feet on August 15; and 1,675 feet on August 31. He assured that there was proper synchronisation over the inflows and release of water.

About the Pong Dam on the Beas river, Mr. Nath disclosed that the present level was recorded at 1377.69 feet, while the reservoir should not be filled beyond 1,390 feet. He said that while the BBMB was keeping vigil on the inflow at various gauging stations, it was in regular contact with the partner States.

While there was no need to release extra water at this point of time, the Board was meeting the irrigation needs of the partner States.

Mr. Nath said that he would visit the Dehar power project on Saturday to personally supervise the mechanical run of the machines of the unit which had been flooded after the seals burst.

He was hopeful that after all salvaging operations and repairs the project would synchronise with the Northern Grid on completion of two successful days of mechanical run.

The BBMB Chairman said that the organisation had taken up the matter with the local administration after the Chief Engineer of Bhakhra Dam received a threatening letter. The Engineer has since been provided adequate security, while various angles are being looked into.

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No danger of floods in Punjab, says official

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