Heavy Rain Pushes Pong Dam Above Danger Mark; Inflow Rises by 52,828 Cusecs in 24 Hours

Kangra: Continuous heavy rainfall in the Beas river catchment has kept the water level of the Pong Dam above the danger mark for the fourth straight day, prompting the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to continue regulated releases into downstream areas.

At 9 am on Tuesday, the reservoir level was recorded at 1,390.84 feet—slightly above the prescribed danger mark of 1,390 feet. Officials reported an inflow of 1,32,618 cusecs, compared to 79,790 cusecs on Monday, marking a sharp increase of 52,828 cusecs within 24 hours.

To manage pressure, six operational turbines and spillway gates together released 79,891 cusecs into the Beas River—lower than Monday’s discharge of 1,09,920 cusecs. Of this, 17,079 cusecs was discharged through turbines and 62,812 cusecs via spillway gates. The Shahnehar barrage downstream recorded an outflow of 68,391 cusecs, while 11,500 cusecs was diverted to the Mukerian Hydel Channel.

With the catchment continuing to receive rainfall, BBMB officials said outflows would be adjusted based on storage and inflow trends. The district administration has sounded an alert in low-lying areas of Indora subdivision, where National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed. Farmers and residents have been cautioned about the risk of submergence of standing crops and habitations near the riverbanks.

Rainfall activity across the Beas basin added to the concern. According to the Irrigation and Public Health Department, Palampur received the highest 102.8 mm in 24 hours, swelling streams and rivulets in the upper valley. Shahpur and Nadaun recorded over 53 mm each, while moderate rainfall was logged in Harsar (40.2 mm), Haripur (32 mm), Jogindernagar (32 mm), and Nangal Chowk (32 mm). Other stations also reported significant rainfall—Bharwain (30 mm), Dehra Gopipur (30 mm), Guler (24.4 mm), Baijnath (24 mm), Nagrota Surian (22.2 mm), Ghamroor (21.6 mm), and Sujanpur (20.2 mm).

Deputy Commissioner Kangra Hemraj Bairwa has directed disaster management teams, panchayats, and revenue officials to remain on high alert. Residents in vulnerable stretches of Indora and Fatehpur subdivisions have been advised to stay away from flooded fields and riverbanks. Emergency arrangements have been made to shift affected families to safe shelters if water levels rise further.

With forecasts of more rain in the region, authorities are maintaining strict round-the-clock surveillance of both catchment activity and reservoir levels.