On the directive of Bokaro Deputy Commissioner Rai MP Ray, Tenughat Dam authorities have decided to release 10,500 cusecs (297.55 cubics water per second) from the dam as the water level increases in the reservoir, informed AK Jha Executive Engineer of Tenughat Dam.
Due to continuous rains the Damodar River is on its peak and continuing to flow near the danger mark in Bokaro.
Officials have warned all residents living close to the riverbanks to move to safer and higher places. Heavy downpour forced people living in the lower areas to take shelter in high rising places. More than ten small bridges have been submerged in the rain water while flash flood washed away two small bridges in the districts.
About 3 to 5 feet water lodged at several spots on the National Highway-23 between Bokaro and Dhanbad. Several houses in Manaitand, Tapovan, Bhuaiphor in Dhanbad and Chas in Bokaro are under water. Water level is also rising in the Mathion, Topchanchi and in Panchyat dams. People residing in the fire zone of Jharia having distressing experience as thick smokes due to underground fire started coming out after rain. Power breakdowns in many parts of the city have also life miserable for residents. Posh colonies like Co-operative Colony, BIADA Colony including satellite town of Chas are reeling under intense power cuts. Taking precautionary majors mining has been stopped in the underground coal mines and miners were ordered to come out, official sources said.
The District Administration also issued a warning, not to go into the rivers as water level increased into the Tenughat dam as well as in river too. It might be expected of a sudden release of more water from the reservoir of the dam at any time, warning reveals.
The officials, who are monitoring the rise in the river’s water level, said the threat of a flood persists. But the possibility of a major flood in the district was low, they added. Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner along with other district officials are working in close coordination.
“Capacity of the reservoir of Tenughat Dam is maximum of 824 feet but now the water level has increased. A special directive of ‘24-hours alert’ has been issued to the concerned officials, staffs and divers,” informed the official. Meanwhile, farmers in the rural areas welcomed the downpour. “We hope there will be some more showers so that the ponds could be filled. The rain is good for the crop,” said Anand, a farmer of Kasmar in Bokaro.