Chandigarh: Punjab faces mounting flood concerns after the release of water from Bhakra Dam and Sukhna Lake, pushing water levels higher in the Sutlej and Ghaggar rivers. Several districts are now on alert, with residents in low-lying areas urged to remain cautious.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, and Rupnagar over the next three days. Mohali and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar are also under alert. Neighboring Jammu and Kashmir remains under an orange alert, while Himachal Pradesh faces a yellow alert until October 2. Officials warned that heavy rainfall in these hill states could intensify Punjab’s flood risk.
Although Punjab recorded no major rainfall on Thursday, bringing a slight fall in the Ravi river’s water level, continuous discharge from upstream reservoirs has worsened the threat. Officials said the Bhakra reservoir stands eight feet below danger level, yet precautionary releases are being carried out to manage rising inflows.
In Chandigarh, Sukhna Lake authorities opened two floodgates after water levels surged, sending more discharge into the Ghaggar. By Friday morning, the river’s flow crossed 70,000 cusecs, triggering alarm in downstream villages.
Residents in Patiala’s Untsar, Nanheri, Sanjarpur, Lachru, Kamalpur, Rampur, and Saunta villages have been placed on high alert. Similar warnings have been issued in flood-prone parts of Derabassi, including Tiwana, Khajur Mandi, Sadhanpur, Sarasini, Alamgir, Dangdhera, Mubarikpur, Mirpur, and Bakarpur.
The disruption has also hit rail services, with waterlogging in parts of Jammu and Kashmir forcing cancellations of several trains passing through Punjab.
Disaster management teams remain on standby, while round-the-clock monitoring of embankments continues to prevent breaches.
