Chandigarh, August 18, 2019: With heavy rain lashing Punjab, which has led to flooding in some parts of the state, the State Disaster Management Committee will meet in Chandigarh on Sunday at 4 pm to assess the situation. Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh will review the situation on Monday.
Meanwhile, the water released from Bhakra Dam will hit its peak surge at around 6 pm today and as a precaution 81 villages around Sutlej river in Jalandhar distirct have been ordered to be evacuated. 63 villages fall in Shahkot tehsil, 13 in Phillaur and five in Nakodar.
The district administration says all its officers are in the field evaluating the situation and it is in touch with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Army.
Warning has been issued to people living in the affected areas to leave immediately and for this public announcement is being made.
According to Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Pong Dam has been closed and BSL, that sends 8000 cusec to Bhakhra, is being closed.
“Satluj's own inflows otherwise have been huge, around 3 lakh cusec for some time. About 19000 cusec is being released from Bhakhra flood gates which may taper off if inflows calm down. Prediction is inflows should abate for the time being as there are only light rains in Punjab,” says a BBMB official.
“The clouds are moving northwards over Himachal and rains in Satluj catchment are expected to start dwindling from midnight till tomorrow and then following 3 days are seen clear. Although right now rivers are flowing full with Ropar recording 1.92 lakh cusec,” he added.
Harike gates have been open since yesterday and lake level has been lowered 18 inch. It is being further lowered to facilitate inflows.