Bhakra mgmt says no reason to panic

CHANDIGARH: The worst seems to be over on the flood front in Punjab. Reports are that the situation is under control in the affected areas while the water is receding significantly. Moreover, the meteorology department has predicted only isolated rains or thunder storm in the next 24 hours and no rainfall subsequently till August 23 in the Northwest region- all indicating that the situation would fast return to normal if the predictions are to be believed.Meanwhile , the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has categorically stated that the reservoir level at Bhakra was almost 10 ft below its filling capacity of 1,680 ft on Monday. Besides this, the reservoir level has a cushion of five ft and can be filled up to 1,685.
Talking to TOI, BBMB chairman UC Misra said," The reservoir level of 1,670 up to August 15 is well within normal limit and there is no reason to panic" . However, as a precaution , a couple of days ago the BBMB had tested all the spill-over flood gates to check the hydraulic operations to ensure these were in perfect order, he said. Incidentally, the testing was done on the day when the Union power secretary too was present at Bhakra. He denied reports that the flood gates were opened to release water and clarified that the flooding of some areas in Punjab is because of breaches and heavy rainfall downstream in Punjab. "These are not at all linked with Bharka," he said.
Misra said that if the torrential rains or serial cloud bursts in the catchment area of Bharka continued for over a week and water level crosses 1,680 ft, only then the BBMB would resort to contingency plan of opening spill over gates and that too in consultation and fairly advance intimation to Punjab government." But as of now, there was remote possibility of this action and we are monitoring the situation constantly. However, if the rains are staggered or not extra-ordinarily heavy, the reservoir would be able to absorb in the inflows" , assured Misra.