Patratu Dam gate opened as water level reaches danger mark

Mail News Service

Ramgarh, August 22: Following continuous rainfall over the past few days, the water level in Patratu Dam on the Nalkari River has reached a critical point. To manage the rising water levels, the management opened gate number three of the dam on Thursday morning. The gate, which is one of the eight gates, was opened at 6:50 am to drain excess water, with the administration issuing an alert to nearby residents.

The water level in the dam had risen above 1328 RL, prompting the decision to open the gate by 3 inches. The release of water from the Patratu Thermal Power Station (PTPS) Dam has led to an increase in the flow of the Nalkari River, which subsequently affects the Damodar River, causing a rise in its water level up to Rajrappa.

Authorities, led by Naveen Kumar, Estate Officer, Rest Asset, PTPS Patratu, have been making announcements to warn people not to venture near the banks of the Nalkari and Damodar rivers, either with animals or otherwise, as a precautionary measure. The continuous inflow from the Nalkari and Ghaghra rivers, combined with the rainfall, has filled the catchment area of the dam, necessitating the controlled release of water to prevent flooding.