Flood crisis deepens as Bhakra Dam nears danger mark

Bathinda: The flood situation in Punjab worsened on Wednesday with rising water levels in the Bhakra Dam and continued discharge into the Beas and Ravi leading to breaches in earthen embankments. In the morning, the level at Bhakra was recorded at 1,677.84 feet, close to the danger level of 1,680 feet. This prompted a discharge of 80,000 cusecs, with the water ultimately flowing into the swollen Sutlej.

The release of 3.18 lakh cusecs from the Harike headworks and an additional 3.02 lakh cusecs from Hussainiwala headworks increased the risk of erosion and breaches in the river's earthen embankments, particularly in villages near the Sutlej.


One such breach occurred at Mannu Machhia village in the Zira assembly in Ferozepur, close to Gidderpindi village of Kapurthala, already facing inundation. The water flowed towards fields in the village, causing damage to standing crops.

Similarly, residents of Habib Ke and Gatta Badshah villages in Ferozepur struggled to save erosions, with the gushing Sutlej water causing them sleepless nights.

"We are racing against time to save the dhussi bandh (earthen embankment) as the gushing water is hitting the soil with velocity, a serious cause of concern. Hundreds of people from nearby villages, along with a column of the Army, are working endlessly to save this embankment from caving in, as any breach would damage crops in many villages," said Habib Ke residents Gurmail Singh and Karnail Singh, who are putting up at the embankment site with people taking turns in sleeping. A similar situation exists in various other villages in both the border districts of Ferozepur and Fazilka.

The situation at Hazarewala bridge in Ferozepur and Kavawali Pattan in Fazilka has not improved. Due to water flowing over the Kavawali Pattan bridge, connectivity to nearly 10 villages could not be restored even after days, as a boat is proving to be the only medium to reach them.

With downstream discharge of over 3 lakh cusecs, Fazilka deputy commissioner Amarpreet Kaur Sandhu issued an advisory to residents of nearly two dozen villages situated close to the Sutlej, asking them to move to safer places from their villages.

The level at Pong Dam was recorded at 1,393.19 feet, over 3 feet above the danger level of 1,390 feet.

Meanwhile, Sanjha Zira Morcha, an environment advocacy group fighting for over two years for the permanent closure of a distillery and ethanol project over water and air pollution, is now distributing aid to flood-affected villages in Ferozepur. Roman Brar, a morcha member, said that power supply in villages marooned by floods poses problems for those travelling to villages by boat. The power supply should be restored in the evening when rescue operations almost come to a halt, to avoid any accident.

Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan posted on social media that he has held discussions with the Punjab governor, chief minister, and agriculture minister to address the flood crisis. Chouhan announced he would visit Punjab on Thursday to personally assess the damage, stating that the central govt stands fully with the people of Punjab and will provide all possible assistance during the time of crisis.

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