heavy-discharge-from-pong-dam-continues-bhakra-level-drops

In a relief for flood-hit Punjab, inflows in Bhakra Dam have reduced to 62,481 cusecs. The dam level has also come down to 1,678.14 feet, about 2 feet below the 1,680 feet peak storage level of Bhakra Dam.

 

It is learnt that the BBMB would continue releasing about 70,000 cusecs from Bhakra Dam till the water level in the dam comes to 1,677 feet, three feet below the maximum level. BBMB authorities said this would give them a cushion in case it rains more this month.

 

Since Friday, the BBMB authorities have kept the outflows from Bhakra Dam at about 70,000 cusecs. Out of this, 55,000 cusecs are being released in the natural basin of the Satluj, while about 15,000 cusecs are being released in the Nangal and Anandpur Sahib hydel canals emerging from Nangal dam. Though the water level from Bhakra into the Satluj basin has decreased to about 55,000 cusecs, the Bela villages located inside the river basin are still cut off.

 

The water level in Pong Dam continues to remain high as Beas river is still receiving high inflows. The water level in Pong Dam on Saturday morning was 1,394.67 feet, more than 4.5 feet above the maximum storage capacity. Inflows in Pong Dam also remain high at 98,418 cusecs. The outflows from Pong Dam are 99,673 cusecs, the same as on Friday. There is no relief in sight for people residing on the banks of the Beas in Punjab and Himachal for the next few days as outflows from Pong dam would continue to be high.

 

Dams acted as buffer for Punjab: BBMB

 

Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) chairman Manoj Tripathi said on Saturday that dams had played a crucial role in protecting Punjab from far greater destruction by providing a critical buffer against excessive monsoon inflows. He said that without the dams, Punjab would have faced large-scale devastation as early as June.

 

Tripathi said the Pong Dam witnessed unprecedented inflows this year, 20 per cent higher than the previous record of 2023. He said that this necessitated increased discharge, but the water channels downstream in the adjoining areas of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh did not have adequate carrying capacity.