India
Amid concerns about rising reservoir levels due to heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Monday assured the state Assembly that there is no flood-like situation in Punjab. Addressing the House during the ongoing special session, Goyal stated that water levels in all major reservoirs are well below danger marks and the situation remains under control.
Responding to a call attention motion moved by Independent MLA Rana Inder Pratap Singh, Goyal informed the Assembly that as of July 10, the water level at Bhakra Dam stood at 1,590.48 feet, significantly lower than 1,614.89 feet recorded on the same day during the 2023 floods. Similarly, the water level at Pong Dam was measured at 1,325.48 feet (compared to 1,350.63 feet in 2023), while Ranjit Sagar Dam recorded 505.41 meters, down from 520.2 meters last year.
“All three reservoirs are operating safely with ample buffer from danger levels,” Goyal emphasized.
To strengthen flood preparedness, the state government has allocated ₹204.5 crore for flood mitigation efforts. Goyal said over 4,766 km of drains and choes have been desilted and cleaned, while embankment fortification projects are being executed under the State Disaster Mitigation Fund.
Additional preventive measures include the planting of 53,400 bamboos, construction of 1,044 check dams, creation of 3,957 soak pits, and 294 km of vetiver grass plantation to enhance soil stability along vulnerable regions. Control rooms are fully operational, and emergency response teams are on standby across districts. Rivers and drains are being monitored in real time, ensuring swift government response to any emerging threat.
However, MLA Rana Inder Pratap Singh voiced strong concerns about the condition of embankments along the Beas River, particularly between Harike and Dhilwan, where he identified 12 to 15 critical weak spots. He alleged that repeated alerts to the Deputy Commissioner and cabinet minister went unheeded, with no concrete action taken.
“Even under the MGNREGA scheme, the required repair work could have been done. During last year’s floods, an isolated embankment near Goindwal bridge diverted the water flow dangerously, leading to increased breach risk,” Singh warned. He urged the government to prioritise desilting in such critical areas.
Singh further alleged that illegal mining continues near embankment zones, especially where locals have set up temporary structures. This activity, he said, was aggravating the flood threat and must be dealt with urgently through immediate inspections and enforcement.
In closing, Goyal reiterated that the Punjab government is fully prepared to handle any emergency. “We have a robust monitoring and response mechanism in place, and are confident of mitigating any potential flood risk this monsoon,” he said.
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