Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said there was no need to panic in the wake of floods in many parts of the state and said they are prepared if BBMB releases water from the Bhakra dam.

"We want to tell people there is no need to panic. We have to fight the situation bravely. The Army, civil authorities, NGOs and volunteers are helping the flood-affected victims," Badal told reporters here on the sidelines of a function to honour Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra.

When a reporter asked that BBMB Chairman U C Misra had today said that the dam level had risen to 1670 feet and if there were any more rains leading to further rise in water level then they would release the water, Badal replied "we are prepared".

"If they will eventually release the water, what else can we do. We have to be prepared," he said when also asked if BBMB had written a letter to the state government in this regard.

The Chief Minister who had drawn flak from a section of the media for watching Bollywood film "Singh is King" at a theatre in Jalandhar yesterday at a time when state was grappling with flood problems, said the media had only picked up the negative angle.

When asked if he had liked the film, Badal quipped "you (media) must be looking for something negative in this too (if he makes comment)".
Source : PTI