Punjab govt sounds general alert along Ravi river

Gurdaspur, Aug 7 (UNI) The Punjab government has sounded a general alert along the Ravi river in the districts of Amritsar and Gurdaspur following a sudden rise in the water level in the reservoir of the Ranjit Sagar dam.

Confirming the report here today, Deputy Commissioner Vivek Pratap Singh said the alert was sounded following reports received from the Ranjit Sagar dam authorities. The water level in the resevoir recorded this morning was 521 meters and its maximum capacity was 523 meters.

The dam authorities had informed the DC that in order to save the dam from any form of damage, water would be released through the spillway channels anytime.Ths rise in the water level in the reservoir was attributed to heavy rainfall in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh.

The administrations of Amritsar and Gurdaspur have swung into action and have warned the people residing in villages along the Ravi to move to safer places. Even those staying in the river basin, that is between the Dhussi Bundh and the river have been advised to move out.

The two district administrations have made arrangements to relocate those who may be affected in case the water level in the Ravi crosses the danger mark. The worst hit areas in the past have been Narot Mehra, Dera Baba Nanak, Kalanaur and Ajnala.

Border Security Force (BSF) jawans manning the Border Outposts (BOPs) between the Ravi and the international border have also made arrangements for their safety. Boats have been placed at all the vulnerable points along the river in case an emergency arises and people get trapped in the basin of the river.

The Ravi which meanders along the Indo-Pakistan border had in past brought ''untold misery'' to the border residents in the monsoon season. The river, during floods normally affects the Indian villages as the Pakistan authorities have built concrete 'bundhs' on their side that pushes the flow of water towards the Indian side.

UNI XC-HS PA RAI1638