REITERATES, PUNJAB FULLY PREPARED TO TACKLE FLOOD-LIKE SITUATIONS
Chandigarh, August 6:
Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today said that Punjab is fully prepared to address any flood-like situation. He said that district-level control rooms are fully operational and accessible for emergency assistance, following heavy rainfall in hilly regions over recent days.
He said that the state government has implemented robust flood mitigation measures and comprehensive preparedness protocols to tackle every potential scenario, with flood defence infrastructure and emergency response mechanisms fully mobilized across the state.
The Minister informed that control rooms are active statewide, with emergency response teams on alert and continuous real-time monitoring of rivers and drainage systems across vulnerable flood zones. Advanced flood forecasting systems and early warning mechanisms have been deployed to ensure swift response capabilities. District-wise control rooms are operational under Junior Engineer-level supervision for immediate flood response coordination.
Divulging details of control Rooms, he said that Ropar control room number is 01881-221157, Gurdaspur control room is 01874-266376 and 18001801852, Pathankot control room is 01862-346944, Amritsar control room is 01832-229125, Tarn Taran control room is 01852-224107, Hoshiarpur control room is 01882-220412, Ludhiana control room is 0161-2520232, Jalandhar control room is 0181-2224417 and 94176-57802, SBS Nagar control room is 01823-220645, Mansa control room is 01652-229082, Sangrur control room is 01672-234196, Patiala control room is 0175-2350550 and 2358550, Mohali control room is 0172-2219506, Sri Muktsar Sahib control room is 01633-260341, Faridkot control room is 01639-250338, Fazilka control room is 01638-262153 and 01638-260555, Ferozepur control room number is 01632-245366, Barnala Control Room No. is 01679-233031, Bathinda Flood control room Nos. are 0164-2862100 and 0164-2862101, Kapurthala Control Room no. is 01822-231990, Fatehgarh Sahib flood control room no. is 01763-232838, Moga flood control room no. is 01636-235206 and Malerkotla flood control room no. is 01675-252003.
Providing information about reservoir water levels, the Cabinet Minister said that current water levels in major dams remain within safe parameters, with Bhakra Dam standing at 1637.40 feet against maximum capacity of 1680 feet, Pong Dam at 1373.08 feet against maximum capacity of 1390 feet and Ranjit Sagar Dam at 1694.64 feet against maximum capacity of 1731.55 feet.
He said that the Water Resources Department has executed comprehensive flood mitigation strategies, including desilting and cleaning of 4,766 kilometers of drains and watercourses, completion of embankment reinforcement projects, procurement of 8.76 lakh sandbags for flood control with 3.24 lakh sandbags already filled and strategically positioned and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping of sandbag locations for rapid deployment during emergency situations.
The emergency response protocol includes 24×7 surveillance maintained at vulnerable locations, continuous monitoring by Water Resources Department officials, daily situation reports submitted to headquarters and emergency evacuation plans activated across flood-prone areas. Deputy Commissioners and concerned department officials have been directed to maintain round-the-clock vigilance, with the integrated flood management approach involving coordination between Water Resources Department, Revenue Department, Police and disaster management agencies.
He urged residents near river embankments and flood-prone areas to remain vigilant during heavy rainfall periods and contact control rooms immediately for emergency assistance, follow evacuation orders if issued by authorities and avoid venturing into waterlogged areas.
The Cabinet Minister assured that Punjab’s flood preparedness infrastructure and emergency response capabilities are fully equipped to handle any inundation scenario effectively and minimize potential damage to life and property through proactive flood management and swift emergency response mechanisms.
