Shimla/Chandigarh, September 16: The water level at Pong Dam in Himachal Pradesh rose by nearly two feet on Monday after heavy rainfall in the Beas catchment, keeping the reservoir above the danger mark and raising concerns downstream in Punjab.
According to data from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), the level stood at 1,392.48 feet on Monday morning, several inches above the prescribed limit. Inflow into the reservoir was measured at 64,964 cusecs, higher than the 49,899 cusecs released.
The swollen Beas has already wreaked havoc over the past month in more than 100 villages of Kapurthala district, submerging thousands of acres of farmland and damaging property worth hundreds of crores. The BBMB, which manages both Pong and Bhakra dams, has been balancing inflows and outflows to reduce the impact of excess water.
This year, Pong Dam recorded unprecedented inflow during August and September, peaking at 2.25 lakh cusecs. To ease the pressure, authorities had maintained outflow at 1 lakh cusecs for several days. Located in the Shivalik foothills of Kangra district, the dam receives water from the Beas, which originates near Rohtang Pass and flows through Kullu, Mandi and Kangra before entering Punjab.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said rainfall in the past 24 hours has been far above normal—566 percent in Mandi and 207 percent in Kangra. In contrast, Kullu reported a 36 percent deficit. Over the past week, rainfall was 285 percent above normal in Mandi and 128 percent in Kangra, while the state as a whole recorded a 20 percent excess. Since June 1, Himachal has received 44 percent above-normal rainfall.
At Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej in Bilaspur district, water levels were recorded at 1,676.16 feet on Monday, nearly four feet below the danger mark. Inflow was 40,999 cusecs while outflow stood higher at 55,000 cusecs. The Sutlej flows through Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu, Mandi and Bilaspur, where most areas, except Mandi, have seen below-normal rainfall in the past week, the IMD said.
The weather office has issued a yellow alert for September 16, forecasting fairly widespread rain and thunderstorms across Himachal. Isolated to scattered rain is expected in the state until September 21.
In Punjab, where rainfall has been 50 percent above normal so far this monsoon, light to moderate showers with isolated heavy spells were reported over the past 24 hours. The IMD has predicted light to moderate rain until September 19, with dry conditions likely afterward.
