Pong Dam level 5 feet above danger mark

The water level at Pong Dam, which lies on the Beas in Himachal Pradesh, has risen by more than five feet above the maximum permissible level due to heavy rainfall during the past few days.

The level recorded on Wednesday morning was 1,395.17 feet against the stipulated upper limit of 1,390 feet, according to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

The inflow into the dam’s reservoir was 74,960 cusecs, while the outflow was 59,895 cusecs. The mean outflow in September during the past 10 years ranged between 9,622 cusecs and 14,852 cusecs.

Pong is located in Kangra district, close to the border with Punjab. The dam’s catchment area that lies across Kullu, Mandi and Kangra districts has been experiencing heavy rains over the past few days.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), rains have been above the long period average by 457 per cent in Mandi, 241 per cent in Kangra and 34 per cent in Kullu during the past seven days. The IMD is expecting light to moderate rain in these districts till September 22.

While 1,390 feet has been fixed as the upper filling limit for the Pong, the dam can store up to 1,421 feet water.

On the other hand, level at Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej was 1,676.74 feet on Wednesday morning, more than three feet below the upper limit of 1,680 feet. Inflow was 35,999 cusecs, while the outflow was 50,000 cusecs.

Sources said the water level at Bhakra had been kept below the maximum limit to provide a cushion for any unexpected heavy rain in catchment area that could spike inflows.

Some experts suggested that with monsoon in its withdrawal phase and official filling period for dams coming to an end this month, the reservoir can be filled up to its maximum capacity. The period from October to May is the depletion period, when inflows reduce to a trickle due to lack of rains and snowmelt.