Jamshedpur, July 17: After heavy rain, the water level in Chandil dam’s catchment area has risen beyond 180 metres, prompting the dam authorities to open three sluice gates this morning.

Over 50 villages face the threat of inundation as a result of the rising waters. Several villagers have already left their homes for safer places.

Ashok Kumar, chief engineer (monitoring) of water resources department said, “Continuous downpour in the last two days has raised the water level of the dam. So, three sluice gates had to be opened to maintain the water level of the dam.”

The authorities of Subernarekha Multipurpose Project (SMP), which looks after the dam, warned villagers through public address system to vacate their villages and move to rehabilitation centres at several places in Chandil block of Seraikela-Kharsawan district.

They also used sirens to alert the villagers before opening the sluice gates. Chandil sub-divisional officer Aloke Shikari Kashyap said that there was no need to panic. “We are keeping a close eye on the situation and are working in co-ordination with the dam authorities to prevent any calamity,” he said.