Salal Dam gates opened to manage heavy water inflow into Jammu and Kashmir's Chenab river

Authorities on Tuesday opened the gates of the Salal hydroelectric power project dam to ease the heavy inflow of water into the Chenab river in the wake of continuous rains in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, officials said. Locals have been asked to remain vigilant and keep away from the banks of the river.

"Due to the high inflow and increasing trend in the Chenab River, the gates of the Salal Dam have been opened as a precautionary safety measure," a senior National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) official said.

He said the discharge into the Chenab River is very high, causing the water level downstream of the Salal dam to rise.

"Due to this, it is not advisable for people, vehicles, livestock, and animals to approach the river. Therefore, the general public in the area is informed to take proper precautions and avoid going near the banks of the Chenab river during this period," he said.

The district administration has issued an alert in Reasi as water levels rise in river rise.

An official at the dam control said the water level in the river had increased due to heavy rains in the upper areas through which the river passes.