Pong Dam touches year’s highest level

Heavy rainfall in the Beas catchment and continuous inflows from the Pandoh Dam have raised the Pong Dam reservoir in Kangra district to 1,394.51 feet on Thursday morning, its highest level this year. The level has remained above the danger mark of 1,390 feet for five consecutive days.

According to the Bhakra Beas Management Board, the dam received an inflow of 1,07,301 cusecs. To regulate the rising water, authorities released 99,769 cusecs downstream, including 74,179 cusecs through the spillway and 16,988 cusecs through turbines, with an average outflow of 91,167 cusecs. Officials stated that the situation remains dynamic and under constant monitoring.

The sustained high releases have flooded low-lying areas of Indora and Fatehpur sub-divisions, causing widespread damage to crops. The Agriculture Department has estimated total crop losses at Rs 128.80 lakh across 621 hectares. Maize has been damaged on 218.24 hectares, incurring losses worth Rs 24.56 lakh, with about 30 hectares suffering over 33% damage.

Paddy has borne the worst impact, with 382.80 hectares inundated, resulting in losses of Rs 95.70 lakh, of which 239 hectares recorded over 33% damage. Officials said further assessments were in progress, and a detailed report would soon be sent to the state government for relief measures. Farmers in floodplain areas have been advised to stay alert for possible fresh releases.

Flooding has also snapped power supply in Mand areas of Indora subdivision, plunging several villages into darkness. Nearly 29 transformers and 9–10 km of power lines have been damaged. Electricity board officials said repairs can only be undertaken once water levels recede, as the strong current makes fieldwork unsafe. The disruption has also crippled water supply schemes, worsening hardships for residents in the flood-affected belt.