Jharkhand dams release 3.39 lakh cusecs in Damodar entering West Bengal, flood warning issued

BOKARO: In the past four days, continuous heavy rainfall has caused a significant rise in the water levels of several dams across Jharkhand, leading to the opening of dam gates to manage the situation. Authorities at five key dams in the state- Tenughat, Maithon, Panchet, Patratu, and Garga - have begun releasing water to prevent overflow and damage.The water level in dams are being reviewed regularly and its discharge is being adjusted accordingly.
Over 3.39 lakhs (3,39,000) cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water was being discharged into the rivers on Tuesday morning, which is nearly six times the amount released on Saturday (61,000 cusecs) from all the dams. This large volume of water is flowing into the Damodar River, passing through the districts of Bokaro and Dhanbad, eventually reaching West Bengal. The Jharkhand government has informed West Bengal about the release to ensure precautions are in place for downstream areas.
Residents in low-lying areas along the riverbanks have been warned about the rising water levels and the risk of flooding. Bokaro's Deputy Commissioner, Jadhav Vijaya Narayan Rao, stated that “the administration is on alert, and announcements are being made to ensure residents near the Damodar River stay prepared. Block-level officials are also actively monitoring the situation.”
The water from Tenughat (Bokaro) and Panchet (Dhanbad) flows directly into the Damodar River, while Maithon Dam, located in Dhanbad, releases water into the Barakar River, a tributary of the Damodar. Patratu Dam, situated in Ramgarh district, discharges into the Nalkari River, which feeds into the Damodar. Garga (Bokaro) Dam releases water in Garga river which also flows in Damodar River.
Executive engineer Ranjit Kujur, overseeing the Tenughat Dam, explained that the continuous rainfall had forced the opening of eight radial gates. "Initially, only three gates were opened, but as the rain persisted, more gates were gradually opened. By Tuesday, the water level in the Tenughat Dam had risen to 858.10 feet, surpassing its maximum conservation level of 852 feet. Around 83,000 cusecs of water (12 pm) are now being released per second into the Damodar River on Tuesday," he said.
Shashi Rakesh, a senior official with the Damodar Valley River Regulation Committee (DVRRC) in Maithon, mentioned in the issued letter that Maithon and Panchet reservoirs are under strict monitoring due to the rising water levels. On September 17, 2024 at 11 am, Maithon will release 1,80,000 (1.80 lakhs) cusecs, with the possibility of increasing if necessary, while Panchet will release 70,000 cusecs. This decision has been made to ensure safety and prevent any breaches of the dams’ maximum flood management levels.
At the Patratu Dam, eight spillway gates have been opened nine inches since Saturday, releasing 6,972 cusecs into the Nalkari River. According to SK Panda, the administrator overseeing Patratu Thermal Power Station (PTPS), the situation is under control, but vigilance remains high. It will be reviewed again by evening.
Similarly, the Garga Dam, operated by Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL), has also opened its gates due to rising water levels. Special attention is being given to areas along the Garga River, and the public has been advised to stay away from the riverbanks. Garga Dam saw its water level exceed 767 feet this morning, prompting the opening of three and four gates by approximately 1.5 feet each. According to BSL spokesperson Manikant Dhan, there are a total of six gates at the dam.