Alert issued in Manikaran Valley after Malana PP dam gate snag
Shimla, July 25
The District Administration of Kullu has issued a sound alert to residents living along both banks of the Parvati River in the Manikaran Valley. The alert comes after the water level rose due to the opening of the flood gates of Malana Hydro Power Project Stage-1 and Stage-2 dams.
A spokesperson for the Kullu District Administration informed that an alert has been in effect since Monday, urging residents not to approach the swollen river banks as the gates of the Malana Dam-1 were opened the previous evening. Additionally, the Malana Hydro Power Project Stage-2, also located in Manikarnan Valley, is currently facing a constant threat.
The gates of Dam-2 have been blocked due to a sudden rise in silt level, causing the dam’s water to overflow. The Administration stated that while it is unlikely to cause significant devastation downstream, people must still avoid going near the river banks as there could be sudden flooding that might wash away individuals due to the malfunctioning water gate.
The water level is expected to cross the danger mark due to the opening of Dam-1’s gate. There is a risk of the barrage breaking down as the snag in the water gate causes additional water to be released, potentially resulting in a surge of water on the riverbanks. Many houses downstream of the dam’s vulnerable catchment area have already been evacuated.
The Kullu District Administration issued the alert on Monday, warning residents not to approach the riverbanks due to the possibility of a barrage bursting. The warning extends from Dam-2 till Bhuntar, where the Parvati River merges with the Beas River.
The Administration is in contact with the management of the power company, which explained that they could not release water in a controlled manner as the gates were blocked due to heavy silt in the dam. If the dam were to break, the water level of the Beas River would increase significantly. Although the current water level in the dam is 30 cusecs, the Administration is concerned about the potential devastation to houses and fertile lands along the river if water cannot be released under control.
The spokesperson added that the people of Malana own vast areas of fertile land along the Parvati River near Chowki village. There are also numerous residential areas along the Beas River from Jari to Bhuntar Bajira and Pandoh Dam. The situation remains critical, especially as recent flash floods, landslides, and rising water levels in the Beas River have caused significant damage to property and loss of lives in the Kullu district. Many dams in the district are currently above the danger marks, adding to the ongoing danger.
As of 1700 hrs, the water flow was under control, but the authorities are continuously monitoring the situation.
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