All Six Gates of Pagara Dam Opened as the Asan River Swells in Morena

After days of relentless downpours across northern Madhya Pradesh, the Asan River has finally begun to swell beyond its banks in Morena district. The surge left dam officials with little choice – they threw open every gate of the nearby Pagara Dam.

Pagara Dam, a modest earth‑fill structure that has served the region for decades, is equipped with six spillway gates. Early this morning, one by one, each gate was lifted, allowing a steady torrent of water to flow downstream. The decision was not taken lightly; engineers monitored river levels, rain forecasts, and the capacity of the reservoir before acting.

Local residents, many of whom live along the river’s low‑lying stretches, were warned in advance. Authorities set up temporary shelters and dispatched rescue teams to vulnerable hamlets. While the water release caused a temporary rise in the river’s flow, it helped prevent a more catastrophic breach that could have flooded larger areas.

Officials from the Morena district administration explained that opening all gates is a standard flood‑mitigation measure when the reservoir approaches the 95 % capacity mark. “We are closely watching the situation,” said the district’s water resources officer, “and will continue to manage the releases to keep the downstream flow within safe limits.”

The video captured by a local journalist shows the massive gates swinging open against a backdrop of dark, churning waters. It’s a stark reminder of how swiftly nature can turn, and how crucial infrastructure and timely action are in safeguarding lives.

For now, the river’s rise appears to be stabilising, and the gates will remain open until the water level recedes to a safer threshold. Residents are advised to stay alert, follow official updates, and avoid any attempts to cross the swollen river.