Pong Dam Water Level Rises Amid Excessive Rainfall in Parts of Himachal Pradesh

This year, the Pong Dam reservoir witnessed an unprecedented inflow during August and September, reaching up to 225,000 cusecs.

After staying slightly above the maximum permissible level for several days, the water level of the Pong Dam on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh has risen by nearly two feet over the past 24 hours.

According to data released by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), the water level of the Pong Dam was recorded at 1,392.48 feet on Monday morning, while the maximum allowed level is 1,390 feet. The reservoir received an inflow of 64,964 cusecs, with an outflow of 49,899 cusecs.

The reservoir saw record inflows this August and September, reaching up to 225,000 cusecs. To manage the excess water, the outflow was maintained at 100,000 cusecs for several days.

The rise in the water level has been attributed to heavy rainfall in parts of the dam’s catchment area. Pong Dam is located in the foothills of the Shivaliks in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, near the Punjab border.

The Beas River flows through the districts of Kullu, Mandi, and Kangra before entering Punjab after originating near the Rohtang Pass in Himachal.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall in Mandi was 566% above normal and in Kangra 207% above normal in the last 24 hours, while Kullu recorded 36% below normal rainfall during the same period.

Last week, rainfall was 285% above normal in Mandi and 128% above normal in Kangra, while the state overall received 20% more rainfall than usual. From June 1 to date, Himachal Pradesh has recorded a seasonal surplus of 44%.

Meanwhile, the water level at the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej River in Bilaspur district was 1,676.16 feet on Monday morning—about four feet below its upper limit. The reservoir recorded an inflow of 40,999 cusecs and an outflow of 55,000 cusecs, according to the BBMB.

The Sutlej River flows through the districts of Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, and Bilaspur. The IMD reported that except for Mandi, rainfall across these regions has been below normal over the past week.

The weather department has forecast scattered rainfall in Himachal Pradesh until September 21, with widespread rain and thunderstorms expected on September 16, for which a yellow alert has been issued.