Himachal: Pong Dam water level 5 feet above the danger mark

Himachal Pradesh: The water level at the Pong Dam on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh has risen by more than five feet above the maximum permissible level due to heavy rainfall over the past few days. According to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), the water level was recorded at 1,395.17 feet on Wednesday morning, while the upper limit is 1,390 feet. The dam’s reservoir received 74,960 cusecs of water, while 59,895 cusecs were released. The average inflow in September over the past 10 years has ranged from 9,622 cusecs to 14,852 cusecs. Pong is located in Kangra district, near the Punjab border. The dam’s catchment area, which spans Kullu, Mandi, and Kangra districts, has been receiving heavy rainfall over the past few days. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mandi has received 457 percent more rainfall than the long-term average, Kangra 241 percent, and Kullu 34 percent in the past seven days. The IMD expects light to moderate rainfall in these districts until September 22.
The maximum inflow limit for the Pong River has been set at 1,390 feet, while the dam can hold up to 1,421 feet. Meanwhile, the water level at the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej River was 1,676.74 feet on Wednesday morning, more than three feet below the upper limit of 1,680 feet. The inflow was 35,999 cusecs, while the outflow was 50,000 cusecs. Sources said the water level at Bhakra has been kept below the maximum limit to prevent any unexpected heavy rainfall in the catchment area, which could increase the inflow. Some experts suggest that with the monsoon retreating and the dams’ official filling period ending this month, reservoirs could fill to their maximum capacity. October to May is a water-scarce period, when water flows are reduced to trickles due to lack of rain and melting snow.