Chandigarh- Due to continuous heavy rains in the hilly areas and intermittent rains in Punjab for the last 36 hours, the flood situation in the state has become critical. The water level in Ranjit Sagar Dam has reached the danger mark, due to which the administration has opened seven flood gates of the dam. 71 thousand cusecs of water is being released into the Ravi river through Madhopur Head Works.
Similarly, the water level in Pong and Bhakra dams is also approaching the danger mark. Due to water rising in many rivers, drains and canals, houses and crops have been damaged in the villages. Dozens of villages on the banks of the Ravi and Beas rivers have lost contact with each other. Orders have been issued to shift elderly and women to safer places in more than two dozen villages of Fazilka district.
Along with this, a holiday has been declared in educational institutions of Pathankot district on August 26, in Hoshiarpur and Fazilka on August 26 and 27 and in Block 2 of Ajnala and Block 1 of Raya tomorrow. Due to the rapid flow of water in the rivers of the state, districts like Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Amritsar etc. have come under the grip of floods.
Vigilance has been increased in border districts after seeing the increasing flood crisis. People have been ordered to move to safer places and evacuate villages in many border districts. According to details, due to the increase in the water level in the Beas River, villages like Maujpur, Kathana, Buddha Bala, Phulra, Noon, Fattu Barkat etc. located near the Dhussi Dam have come under the water.
Lakhs of acres of crops have been submerged in water. The water level in Ranjit Sagar Dam reached 526.89 meters this evening while the danger mark is at 527.91 meters. 72,872 cusecs of water is being inflowed into the dam and 83,472 cusecs of water is being released. The water level in Pong Dam has reached 1386 feet while the danger mark is at 1390 feet. 1.96 lakh cusecs of water is being inflowed into Pong Dam and 61,972 cusecs of water is being released.
Similarly, the water level in Bhakra Dam has reached 1688.58 feet, which is very close to the danger mark of 1690 feet. 72,787 cusecs of water is being inflowed into Bhakra Dam and 44,784 cusecs of water is being released.