Punjab Fully Prepared to Tackle Flood Risks: Control Rooms Working Round the Clock
Chandigarh, August 6, 2025 — With heavy rains lashing the northern hilly regions, Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal has assured citizens that the state is fully equipped to handle any potential flood-like situation. The minister emphasized that district-level flood control rooms are working 24×7, and emergency response teams are on high alert to deal with any developing crisis.
Statewide Control Rooms Activated for Immediate Response
Minister Goyal informed that control rooms are operational across all districts, equipped with real-time monitoring of rivers and drainage systems. He highlighted that flood-prone zones are under constant surveillance, and Junior Engineers have been tasked with managing district-level operations for rapid decision-making.
To bolster flood management efforts, advanced forecasting systems and early warning tools have been deployed. The government is also maintaining GIS-mapped sandbag deployment points for efficient emergency response.
Below are key control room contact numbers for the public:
- Ropar: 01881-221157
- Gurdaspur: 01874-266376 / 1800-180-1852
- Pathankot: 01862-346944
- Amritsar: 01832-229125
- Tarn Taran: 01852-224107
- Ludhiana: 0161-2520232
- (Complete list available through official government sources)
Dams and Reservoirs Within Safe Limits
Goyal reassured citizens that major dams are currently within safe storage levels:
- Bhakra Dam: 1637.40 feet (max 1680 ft)
- Pong Dam: 1373.08 feet (max 1390 ft)
- Ranjit Sagar Dam: 1694.64 feet (max 1731.55 ft)
The Water Resources Department is closely monitoring these reservoirs to ensure they don’t breach danger marks, even as upstream rainfall continues.
Flood Mitigation Work Intensified Across Punjab
The minister detailed various flood mitigation measures already undertaken:
- Desilting and cleaning of over 4,766 km of drains
- Reinforcement of embankments in vulnerable areas
- Procurement of 8.76 lakh sandbags, with 3.24 lakh already filled and strategically placed
- Daily reporting to state HQ and round-the-clock monitoring by field officers
Additionally, evacuation plans have been activated in high-risk areas, and Deputy Commissioners are coordinating efforts across districts with help from the Revenue, Police, and Disaster Management Departments.
Public Advisory: Stay Vigilant and Follow Guidelines
Citizens living near riverbanks or low-lying areas have been advised to:
- Contact local control rooms in emergencies
- Cooperate with evacuation instructions
- Avoid entering flooded or waterlogged areas
Minister Goyal appealed to the public to remain vigilant during peak rainfall, and assured that the government is committed to protecting lives and property with proactive disaster management.
Government’s Integrated Approach Gains Praise
Experts have lauded Punjab’s integrated flood preparedness plan, which includes real-time data sharing, district-level coordination, and use of technology like GIS and forecasting tools.
Punjab’s model of prevention, preparedness, and swift response may serve as a blueprint for other flood-prone states facing increasing rainfall due to climate change.