Heavy rain swells Pong Dam, inflow increases by 52,828 cusecs in 24 hours  

Heavy rainfall in the Beas river catchment has kept the water level at Pong Dam above the danger mark for the fourth consecutive day, forcing the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to continue releasing water downstream.

At 9 am on Tuesday, the reservoir level was recorded at 1,390.84 feet, marginally higher than the prescribed danger mark of 1,390 feet.

According to dam authorities, the inflow on Tuesday stood at a massive 1,32,618 cusecs. On Monday, the inflow was 79,790 cusecs. As such, the inflow has increased by 52,828 cusecs in 24 hours.

To regulate the pressure, six operational machines and spillway gates together released 79,891 cusecs into the Beas river. However, today's discharge was less than the Monday's discharge of 1,09,920 cusecs.

Of this, 17,079 cusecs were discharged through turbines, while 62,812 cusecs passed via spillway gates. The outflow translated to 68,391 cusecs at Shahnehar barrage downstream, while the Mukerian Hydel Channel was carrying 11,500 cusecs.

The BBMB officials confirmed that the weather over the catchment remained rainy, and with further inflows expected, the dam outflow is likely to be adjusted depending on storage and inflow trends.

The district administration of Kangra has already issued alerts in low-lying areas, warning farmers and residents about possible inundation of standing crops and habitations close to the river.

The threat has been compounded by widespread rainfall across the Beas river basin and catchment areas. According to the Irrigation and Public Health Department, Palampur recorded the heaviest downpour at 102.8 mm in 24 hours, swelling rivulets and streams in the upper valley. Shahpur and Nadaun received over 53 mm each, while Harsar (40.2 mm), Haripur (32 mm), Joginder Nagar (32 mm) and Nangal Chowk (32 mm) recorded moderate showers.

The other stations too saw significant rainfall — Bharwain (30 mm), Dehargopipur (30 mm), Guler (24.4 mm), Baijnath (24 mm), Nagrota Surian (22.2 mm), Ghamroor (21.6 mm) and Sujanpur (20.2 mm). 

The officials said that the sustained precipitation is directly contributing to the rising inflows in Pong, making continuous monitoring essential.

The Deputy Commissioner of Kangra Hemraj Bairwa has asked disaster management teams, panchayats and revenue officials to remain on alert. Villagers downstream, particularly in low-lying parts of Indora and Fatehpur subdivisions, have been advised to keep away from flooded fields and riverbanks. The officials said contingency arrangements were in place to shift affected families to safe shelters if water levels rise further.

With forecasts suggesting continued showers over the region, authorities were keeping a close watch on both rainfall activity in the catchment and water levels in the reservouir.