Ramgarh: The Ramgarh administration and Patratu Thermal Power Station (PTPS) authorities have issued a flood alert for villages downstream along Damodar river after continuous heavy rain pushed the Patratu dam close to its maximum level.Vivek Singh, estate officer of PTPS under the water resources department, said the water had reached 1,326.5 reservoir level (RL), just 1 ft below the notified level of 1,327.5 RL. “Heavy rainfall in the catchment and upstream areas over the past 48 hours led to the sharp rise,” he said.Following an alert from the dam authorities, the district administration used loudspeakers and social media groups to warn residents of downstream villages. People have been asked to remain vigilant and avoid riverbanks and low-lying areas.Ramgarh deputy commissioner Rituraj said rescue teams, NDRF personnel and volunteers had been kept on standby. Dam authorities have informed the administration that the gates could be opened at any time, potentially causing a sudden rise in the Damodar’s water level.Residents have also been advised to safeguard their cattle and avoid venturing near the river.PTPS officials said gates 4 and 5 were opened in the evening, with about 264 cusecs of water being discharged, as the reservoir level approached the danger mark of 1,328 RL. The controlled release is intended to maintain a safe reservoir level and prevent structural damage to the dam.“The gates will be opened only to the extent required. We are in constant touch with the district administration and have issued advance notice before releasing water,” a PTPS official said.Officials said the situation was being monitored continuously and further action would depend on rainfall and inflow into the reservoir.In Bokaro, the Tenughat dam division on Tuesday issued a flood control advisory following the possibility of heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of Damodar river. “At present, around 10,000 cusecs of water is being discharged from the dam. The dam’s maximum conservation level has been fixed at 852 feet, corresponding to a gross storage capacity of 44,526 hectare metres,” a communique read. The division asked residents living in low-lying areas and along the riverbanks not to venture near the river.(With inputs from Divy Khare in Bokaro)