Chandigarh, Sept. 5 -- As Punjab experiences its worst flooding in nearly four decades, authorities are closely monitoring the Bhakra Dam, which has reported a structural deflection that has exceeded the permissible limit.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), during its technical committee meeting held on Thursday, said that the dam's deflection reached 1.1408 inches, surpassing the 1.03-inch limit. Though this is still less than the 1.1476 inches recorded in 2019, the deflection, combined with rising water levels, has led to the decision to adjust water flows.

At the time of the technical committee meeting, the Bhakra reservoir, built over Sutlej, was at 1,679.05 feet, just 0.95 feet below the full reservoir level (FRL) of 1,680 fe...