Chandigarh: Punjab, already reeling under floods, is facing fresh concerns as the Sutlej river near Gidderpindi has started flowing above the danger mark. Continuous rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab has worsened the situation, with heavy showers reported throughout the day and night.
The White Bein and Black Bein rivers in Doaba have also overflowed, causing a flood-like situation in the adjoining areas. Officials said more than 20,000 cusecs of water has entered the two rivers.
Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal urged people gathered at the Dhusi dam to remain alert. He said that on September 1, around 1.14 lakh cusecs of water was released into the Sutlej from Ropar barrage, against the river’s capacity of two lakh cusecs. Currently, nearly 1.28 lakh cusecs of water is flowing under the Gidderpindi bridge, he added.
Seechewal warned that the situation could deteriorate further if rainfall increases in Himachal Pradesh or if additional water is released from the Bhakra dam.
Meanwhile, Axion Sirtaj Singh of the drains department said the Sutlej’s water level near the Dhusi dam remains lower than critical. He added that the SDO and JE of the department are stationed at the site to strengthen and monitor the dam’s condition.
