Sleepless nights: Rising Pong waters spark panic in Kangra’s Mand area

Thousands of residents in the low-lying Mand area of Indora and Fatehpur sub-divisions in Kangra district are facing anxious days and sleepless nights as the Pong Dam reservoir continues to swell. Memories of the devastating floods caused by sudden water release from the Pong Dam in August 2023 are still fresh, and with the water level rising daily, panic is spreading once again.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which monitors the reservoir, had recorded a water level of 1291.15 feet on June 25, just before the monsoon. As of Tuesday morning, the level had surged to 1368.53 feet, with an inflow of 21,692 cusecs, mainly due to heavy rainfall in upper Himachal Pradesh and excess water discharge from Pandoh Dam in Mandi district.

What worries residents the most is that the critical floodgate level of 1365 feet has already been crossed. Normally, the BBMB is expected to initiate controlled water release after this level to prevent flooding. However, no official decision has yet been made by the Board of Directors, heightening fears of a sudden, unannounced discharge similar to last year.

To alert locals in case of an emergency, the BBMB has installed four hooter systems at Jageer, Sthana, Rey and Riyali, which are to issue red alerts before any water is released into the Beas. As per protocol, the BBMB must also provide 24-hour notice to the sub-divisional and district administrations before releasing water. However, as of Tuesday afternoon, no such notice has been issued.

The disaster of August 14–16, 2023, serves as a grim reminder. That year, uncontrolled discharge from Pong Dam, when the reservoir reached 1399 feet, wreaked havoc across Mand area. Over 10,000 hectares of farmland were submerged, with 7,000 hectares rendered barren in 60 villages across 17 gram panchayats. According to Indora SDM Surinder Thakur, the flood also damaged 13 roads, two PWD bridges and 154 electricity transformers, while some villagers had to be airlifted to safety.

Thakur said an emergency meeting was held on August 1, where BBMB officials were urged to start controlled release at 1365 feet, but the board has remained silent.

In response, all 17 gram panchayats of Indora and five from Fatehpur have passed formal resolutions, demanding pre-emptive water release before the reservoir hits the danger mark of 1390 feet. They have warned BBMB of legal action and held it fully responsible for any future flood-related damages or losses if warnings are ignored.

Meanwhile, Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa said the district administration had written to BBMB in July last year, invoking powers under Sections 30 and 33 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to prioritise public safety. He confirmed that the BBMB was asked to begin releasing water once levels reach 1350 feet, to prevent disaster.

For now, people in the Mand area can only wait, hope, and stay alert.