Flood Crisis Deepens in Kangra: Pong Dam Water Release Pushes Beas River Beyond Danger Level

Kangra is facing a worsening flood situation after excessive water discharge from the Pong Dam sent the Beas River surging above the danger mark.

According to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), the reservoir level stood at 1,391 feet at 4 pm on Sunday—slightly higher than the permissible limit of 1,390 feet. This forced engineers to maintain high levels of water release to ease pressure on the dam.

At its peak, the dam received an inflow of 94,855 cusecs, while the total outflow touched 1,09,920 cusecs—the highest of this monsoon season. Of this, 92,841 cusecs were discharged through spillways and 17,079 cusecs through turbines. Six power generation units continued operating. The Maharana Pratap Hydel Channel recorded a discharge of 11,500 cusecs, while Shah Nahar Barrage downstream reported 98,420 cusecs.

The massive discharge has caused the Beas River to overflow dangerously, flooding fields in the Indora belt and submerging standing crops of paddy and maize. Reports of heavy waterlogging have come in from Damtal, Fatehpur, and nearby villages. Some link roads connecting smaller villages have also been damaged.

The district administration has issued a flood alert and deployed NDRF and SDRF teams in vulnerable areas along the Beas basin. Evacuation advisories have been issued in select areas, with residents urged to move to safer locations.

Officials of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) warned that persistent cloud cover in the catchment area could sustain high inflows, putting additional pressure on the dam and further raising the flood threat for downstream areas of Kangra district and adjoining parts of Punjab.

Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa, who visited flood-affected areas on Saturday, said the administration is in constant coordination with dam authorities to regulate water release despite the reservoir being above the danger level. He reviewed arrangements at relief camps, interacted with displaced families, and assured them of full administrative support.

At the government primary school in Milwan, which has been converted into a relief shelter, he inspected food supplies, health services, and drinking water facilities, directing officials to ensure uninterrupted essential services. Bairwa also chaired a review meeting with local MLA Malendra Rajan and departmental officers, instructing them to work in close coordination to provide timely relief on a war footing.

Large parts of Milwan Panchayat and adjoining villages remain inundated, with fields still under floodwater. Local authorities are maintaining round-the-clock vigil at embankments to prevent further damage.

“The district administration is fully committed to ensuring the safety and rehabilitation of affected residents,” Bairwa said, adding that relief and rescue operations will continue until the situation stabilizes.