Pong level below danger mark for first time in 2 months

The water level at the Pong Dam fell below the danger mark for the first time in about two months after consistently staying above 1,390 feet.

On Tuesday morning, the water level at the dam was recorded at 1389.30 feet, according to information shared by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

The water inflow at reservoir had remained above the danger mark due to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the Beas river.

However, more rain is expected over parts of north-west India from October 4.

According to BBMB data, the inflow at the reservoir was recorded at 10,038 cusecs on Tuesday, while the outflow was 17,127 cusecs.

This year, the dam experienced unprecedented inflows, touching 2.25 lakh cusecs. The water level had remained five feet above the danger mark for an extended period.

The BBMB had maintained a discharge of 1 lakh cusecs for several days. Over the past 10 years, the mean discharge from the Pong during the month of September varied between 9,622 cusecs and 14,852 cusecs.

At the Bhakra Dam that lies on the Sutlej in Himachal Pradesh, the water level on Tuesday morning was 1,673.90, around six feet below the danger mark. The water inflow was recorded at 38,305 cusecs and the outflow 24,304 cusecs.

While the monsoon has completely withdrawn, some rains are expected in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana later this week due to western disturbances.

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 the speed ranging from 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 the IMD.

In its long range forecast issued on September 30, the IMD said the average rainfall over the country as a whole during October was likely to be above normal, but some areas in north-west India might experience below normal rain.