All Five Gates of Pandoh Dam Opened; 44,000 Cusecs of Water Released, Beas River Water Level Rises

Mandi, June 29 – In view of the ongoing flushing of the Larji Dam in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, the BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) has opened all five gates of the Pandoh Dam, leading to a significant rise in the water level of the Beas River. Due to the flushing operation, the Pandoh Dam is receiving around 44,000 cusecs of water per second, which is being released into the Beas River at the same rate by BBMB authorities.

At the same time, water flow through the Baggi tunnel has been suspended, resulting in a temporary halt in electricity generation at the Dehar Power House for the next 24 hours. The Larji Dam flushing will continue until 6 AM on June 30.

In light of the increased water discharge, the district administration and BBMB have issued strict advisories to both tourists and locals, urging them to stay away from the riverbanks. People have also been advised to keep their domestic animals away from the river.

According to the Executive Engineer of BBMB, approximately 44,000 cusecs of water is currently flowing in the Beas River and is being released downstream via the Pandoh Dam. The silt level has risen to 4000 PPM. Due to this, the Baggi tunnel remains closed, and power generation at Dehar Power House has been temporarily suspended. It’s worth noting that during the monsoon season, silt and sediment tend to accumulate in the Larji and Pandoh dams, prompting regular flushing operations to maintain dam efficiency.

Emergency Contact Information in Case of Disaster

Heavy rainfall across the region since last night has led to rising water levels in other rivers and streams in the district as well. In Pandoh, the Jyuni Khad has swelled dramatically, appearing to challenge the flow of the Beas River.

Apoorv Devgan, Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), has urged residents to pay close attention to alerts issued by local authorities and the weather department. He has also appealed to the public to move to safer locations immediately in case of any emergency.

For assistance during emergencies, residents can contact the District Disaster Management Authority at the following helpline numbers:
01905-226201, 226202, 226203, 226204, or via WhatsApp at 85447-71889.