Water level crosses danger mark at Pong Dam

The water level breached the danger mark at Pong Dam on Tuesday afternoon. This is likely to worsen the flood situation in Punjab’s Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur districts, where the Beas is already in spate.

The water level touched 1,391.13 feet at 7 pm, according to officials.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which looks after the dam, has already made it clear that it would not allow the water level to go beyond it as it might cause damage to the dam’s structure.

The maximum capacity of the dam is 1,410 feet. The authorities have already opened all six flood gates of the dam. According to official, the water level at the dam rose rapidly following an increase in the inflow due to heavy rain the catchment areas of the river. Water level at the dam was recorded at 1,388.41 feet at 7 am on Tuesday. Meanwhile, people started leaving their homes in Mukerian subdivision for safer places. The water level had been continuously rising along Mahitabpur, Maini, Malahan, Kalota, Naushera Pattan, Taggad Kalan, Mauli and Babupur villages.

In Tanda subdivision, the situation worsened, forcing people to move to safer places. Residents of Abdullahpur village took shelter in Gurdwara located at Ibrahimpur village. The administration has also started shifting them to a relief camp set up at a government school in Miani.

A team of Bhai Manjot Singh Talwandi, Baba Deep Singh Sewa Dal, carried out rescue efforts.