Water level in Pong Dam nears danger mark, BBMB to release 18,995 cusecs

An alert has been sounded in Himachal and Punjab after the water level in the Pong Dam reservoir in Kangra district surged alarmingly in the past 24 hours. The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has announced that excess water will be released through the dam’s spillway tonight.

According to a communique from the Additional Superintending Engineer (Water Regulation), the reservoir level touched 1,361.07 feet on Saturday morning, higher than the 1,328.45 feet recorded on the same day last year. The maximum storage capacity of the dam is 1,410 feet and the 1,390 feet is the danger level.

As an average inflow of 87,586 cusecs was recorded this morning, the BBMB ordered the release of 18,995 cusecs through the turbines. The sudden rise in the water level in the dam reservoir is attributed to heavy rainfall in the Beas catchment area and the release of water from the Pandoh dam in Mandi district in the past few days.

The local tributaries like Dehar Khud, Buhal Khud and Dehri Khud were also in spate, further contributing to the inflow of water into the Pong Dam. “In view of the current inflow and the rainfall forecast, excess water may be released through the spillway,” the engineer said in an official order.

Meanwhile, the BBMB has asked the district administrations of Kangra and Hoshiarpur (Punjab) to take immediate precautionary measures. Kangra District Magistrate Hemraj Bairwa said that on his request, the BBMB would release water from the Pong Dam slowly and steadily to prevent flooding in the low-lying Mand areas.

Bairwa said, “Usually, the BBMB released water only after the reservoir level touched the 1,390-feet mark, often causing damage in downstream areas. But, this time, after closely monitoring the rising water level, I have requested the BBMB to begin controlled discharge earlier. This way, water will not stagnate in Mand areas, preventing losses to residents while also protecting the dam.”

He added that this preemptive step would avert large-scale damage and ensure safer regulation of the reservoir during the peak monsoon inflows.

Meanwhile, hooters have been installed in the Rey, Sthana, Sansarpur Terrace and Riyali areas of Kangra district to issue a red alert ahead of water release from the Pong Dam.