Chandigarh: With the weatherman predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 6–7, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has announced the release of 40,000 cusecs of water from Bhakra and Pong dams on Saturday. The discharge will be carried out in a controlled manner into the Sutlej and Beas rivers.
Past Flooding Sparks Caution
The decision comes weeks after the BBMB faced criticism for releasing excess water post-rainfall, a move opposition parties claimed triggered the worst flooding Punjab has seen in decades. To avoid a repeat, the board is taking precautionary steps before the fresh spell of rain.
Breakdown of Discharge
According to officials, 8,000 cusecs of additional water will be released from Bhakra dam around noon, raising the total discharge from the reservoir to 44,000 cusecs. Pong dam will release 32,000 cusecs extra, taking its total outflow to 50,000 cusecs. The decision was finalized at a BBMB technical committee meeting today.
Ranjit Sagar Dam Outflow Doubled
Meanwhile, the Ranjit Sagar dam on the Ravi has already increased its outflow from 20,362 cusecs to 37,686 cusecs since Thursday. Officials from the Water Resources Department said this level of discharge will be maintained on Saturday as well.
Move to Create Buffer for Inflow
Authorities explained that the controlled release is aimed at creating space for fresh inflows in view of the rain alert for the catchment areas of the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh
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