Heavy Rain Pushes Pong Dam Water Level Above Danger Mark for Fourth Consecutive Day

The water level at the Pong Dam has remained above the danger mark for the fourth straight day, reaching 1,394.15 feet by Wednesday—nearly four feet higher than the danger level of 1,390 feet and the highest level recorded this season.

Due to the rising inflow, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has continued releasing water from the reservoir. By 1 p.m. on Wednesday, the inflow was measured at 1,55,261 cusecs. To manage storage, engineers ran six power generation units, releasing 16,988 cusecs through turbines, and opened spillway gates to discharge 62,949 cusecs. The total outflow stood at 79,937 cusecs, still significantly lower than the inflow.

• Inflow: 1,55,261 cusecs
• Release via turbines: 16,988 cusecs
• Release via spillway gates: 62,949 cusecs
• Total outflow: 79,937 cusecs

At the Mukerian Hydel Channel, discharge was recorded at 11,500 cusecs, while the Shahnehar Barrage registered 68,437 cusecs, signaling heavy flow toward Punjab’s plains. Outflow was 78,891 cusecs on Tuesday and 1,09,920 cusecs on both Monday and Sunday.

The situation has raised concerns in Kangra district’s Indora and Fatehpur subdivisions and in Punjab’s adjoining low-lying areas. Farmers along the Beas belt are particularly vulnerable, with reports of paddy fields already waterlogged.

BBMB officials stressed that inflow and outflow are being carefully balanced to avoid sudden flooding downstream. However, with water levels continuing to rise, large-scale releases are necessary to ensure the dam’s safety.