Pong Dam water level rises to this year’s highest

The water level in the Pong Dam on the Beas river rose to this year’s highest at 1,394.71 feet on Friday, about 4.71 feet above the danger mark, officials said.

The level stood at 1,394.51 feet on Thursday.

While the reservoir continues to swell, the inflow has shown a decline. Against Thursday’s 1,32,595 cusecs, the dam received 1,05,950 cusecs of water on Friday morning. The outflow, however, remained almost unchanged at 99,673 cusecs, compared to 99,769 cusecs a day earlier.

Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa said the situation was being closely monitored as the dam had reached critical levels during the monsoon season. “A controlled release of water is being carried out to manage pressure on the reservoir,” he said.

The Pong Dam is an important water storage structure under the Bhakra Beas Management Board. It caters to irrigation, drinking water supply and power generation.

Bairwa cautioned those living in low-lying downstream areas to remain alert as the dam continues to discharge high volumes of water.