Punjab: Water levels in dams drop, farmers grapple with the possibility of heavy rains
Punjab: Anticipating heavy rains over the next three days, authorities have reduced the water levels at the Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams. Rains damaged paddy crops at several locations in Ferozepur and Faridkot districts on Sunday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rains at several locations in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab between October 6 and 8, raising concerns among flood-affected farmers along the Beas and Ravi rivers. Rain fell in nine districts on Sunday, including Ferozepur and Faridkot, where 48 mm and 27.6 mm of rain fell, respectively. Several grain markets were also flooded during the peak of paddy procurement. According to official data, 43,000 cusecs of water from the Sutlej River has been released from the Bhakra Dam for the past two days. 49,000 cusecs of water was released from the Pong Dam, built on the Beas River. The Ranjit Sagar Dam on the Ravi River released 39,686 cusecs of water.
The Bhakra River’s water level was nearly nine feet below the danger mark of 1,680 feet, while the Pong River’s water level was more than three feet below the danger mark. According to meteorologists, heavy rainfall of 123 mm is expected in the Ravi River catchment areas in Jammu and Kashmir and 116 mm in the Beas River catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh between October 6 and 8. The state government is on high alert and closely monitoring the situation. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, MLA from Ajnala, said, “Rains have started in the Jammu region, and people living along the Ravi River have moved most of their belongings to the rooftops.” He added, “During the recent floods, large cracks appeared in the Ravi River embankments. Since many of these cracks have not yet been filled, there is concern that river water may again enter fields and villages.” According to sources, residents of Ajnala, one of the worst-hit areas by the recent floods, have noticed 23 cracks, of which only seven have been repaired so far.
