Pong Dam water level recedes below danger mark, but more rain expected in northwest India

After remaining several feet above the maximum permissible limit over the past two months due to heavy rainfall, the water level at Pong Dam has finally receded a notch below the danger mark. More rain, however, is expected over parts of northwest India from October 4.

The level at the dam, which lies on the Beas river in Himachal Pradesh was 1,389.30 ft on September 30, against the stipulated upper limit of 1,390 ft, according to information shared by Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

The inflow into the reservoir today morning was 10,038 cusecs, while the outflow was 17,127 cusecs. This year, the dam had experienced unprecedented inflows, touching 2.25 lakh cusecs because of heavy rains in its catchment area. The water level had remained over five feet above the top mark.

To cater to excess water, BBMB had maintained a discharge of one lakh cusecs for several days. Over the past 10 years, the mean discharge from Pong during the month of September varied between 9,622 cusecs to 14,852 cusecs.

At Bhakra Dam that lies on the Sutlej river in Himachal Pradesh, the water level today morning was 1,673.90 ft against the upper permissible limit of 1,680 ft, with the inflow being 38,305 cusecs and the outflow being 24,304 cusecs.

While the monsoon, which was above the long period average by 40 per cent in Himachal Pradesh this year, has completely withdrawn, some rains are expected in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana later this week due to western disturbances that is expected to affect the region from October 4.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that light rain is likely at isolated places on October 4, at few places on October 5 and at many places on October 6, with the possibility of heavy rainfall at some places in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 30-40 kmph are also likely at isolated places in Himachal.

While Himachal Pradesh remained dry during the past 24 hours, a few places in Barnala and Sangrur districts in Punjab and Sonepat in Haryana experienced light rainfall. The maximum temperature across both the states was above normal with the minimum temperature was appreciable above normal, according to IMD.

In its long range forecast issued on September 30, IMD said that the average rainfall over the country as a whole during October 2025 is likely to be above normal, but some areas in northwest India may experience below-normal rains.