Chandigarh 2 Sep 2025: Like the Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams, the Bhakra Dam too seems poised to cause devastation in Punjab’s Malwa region. On Monday, the reservoir’s water level stood at 1674.01 feet—less than 6 feet below the danger mark. The rising water level poses a threat, which is why the BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) on Monday opened the floodgates of the Bhakra Dam by 4 feet, releasing 56,000 cusecs of water into the Sutlej River.
Normally, the flow of water released from Bhakra into the Sutlej is around 36,000 cusecs. Compared to normal days, the Sutlej is now carrying nearly 20,000 cusecs of extra water from the dam. Due to this additional release, the flood threat has risen for hundreds of villages in the districts of Ropar, Nawanshahr, Mohali, Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, Fatehgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, and Ludhiana.
A high alert has also been declared around the Sutlej, Ghaggar, Tangri, Markanda, and all tributaries emerging from the Bhakra. Following this, people have begun securing their valuable belongings.
Summary :
Authorities issued a high alert as rising Bhakra Dam levels risk overflowing, potentially causing floods in Punjab cities. Emergency measures and precautionary advisories have been activated for residents’ safety.