Jharkhand: Several gates of Tenughat Dam opened after heavy rain, villagers alerted

Bokaro (Jharkhand), Jul 6 (PTI) Continuous rainfall and increasing water levels have forced authorities at Jharkhand's Tenughat Dam to open two radial gates and one under-sluice gates with the administration issuing a warning to villagers residing in the catchment areas on Monday evening, an official said. Ranjit Kujur, executive engineer at Tenughat Dam Flood Control Cell, said water is being released into the Damodar River at a rate of 2,700 cusecs. "We have alerted the administration to ask fishermen and residents living along the riverbanks to remain alert," he said. According to a notification issued by the Tenughat Dam Division, two radial gates were opened at 3 pm on Monday. Currently, water is being discharged through two radial gates and one under-sluice gate. According to the dam management, the flow of water into the Damodar River is approximately 2,700 cusecs following the opening of the gates. Additional gates may be opened if necessary, depending on the reservoir's status. At 3 pm on Monday, the reservoir's water level was recorded at 849.76 feet and was steadily rising. "The conservation level of the dam is 852 feet. In view of this, water discharge has been initiated as a precautionary measure to keep the reservoir level under control," the executive engineer said. The nodal officer of the Tenughat Flood Control Cell has issued an alert regarding this matter to sub-divisional officers, superintendents of police, block development officers, and station house officers in Bokaro and Dhanbad, instructing them to exercise necessary caution. Abhishek Kumar Pal, assistant engineer at the Tenughat Dam Division, stated that the administration has appealed to residents in the downstream areas of the Damodar River to avoid going near the riverbanks and to remain fully alert. Fishermen have also been advised not to venture into the river. PTI ANB ACD