CHANDIGARH: The increasing water level in Guru Gobind Singh reservoir of Bhakra Dam may be good for next year’s water and generation requirements but very heavy sudden rains in the catchment areas of reservoir may force BBMB to open the flood gates. There are also fear of flooding in the areas along the satluj river if flood gates are opened.

The water level in Bhakra reservoir is 1670.27 feet which is 62 feet more than the corresponding period last year. The inflow in the reservoir is 58977 cusecs while outflow is 31523 cusecs. As per present practice water level is restricted to 1670 feet on August 15 and 1680 feet on August 31.The filling season of reservoir is up to September 20.

The bench mark for period ending July end is 1650 feet and water level on that day was 1649.18 feet. After that there has been an increase of 21 feet in the month of August till date.

The weather department has predicted rainfall for next few days in the catchment areas of the Bhakra reservoir. In these circumstances water level will not cross the limit of 1680 feet fixed by BBMB authorities. Only in exceptional cases of cloud bursting with extremely heavy rainfall the water level can cross 1680 feet.

The earlier maximum limit of 1685 feet was reduced to 1680 feet in the year 2010. BBMB can go for 1685 feet in case of unforeseen conditions and should avoid water spillage by opening flood gates said Padamjit Singh a retired PSEB chief engineer. The reservoir has been designed for maximum water level of 1690 feet.

BBMB has advanced its monthly technical committee meeting to August 16 to take stock of the situation