Heavy rainfall in HP but water level low in Bhakra, Pong dams

The water level remains low in Bhakra and Pong dams despite heavy rainfall in their catchment areas in recent days. On Saturday, the water level in Bhakra Dam was 1,560.32 feet, about 25 feet below the level on June 21 last year. The water inflow stood at 32,699 cusecs today, slightly less than last year’s inflow of 34,525 cusecs on the same date.

The water releases from the dam was 34,500 cusecs on Saturday, higher than the inflow due to higher demand for irrigation in Punjab and Haryana due to paddy transplantation.

In Pong Dam, the water level stood at 1,288.76 feet, which was about 21 feet lower than the dam level on same date last year.

Last year, the water level in Pong Dam on June 21 was 1,309.60 feet.

Early rains in hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh increased the inflow of water in reservoir to 16,602 cusecs, which were higher than 5,389 cusec inflow on June 21 last year.

Water releases from the reservoir remained at 9,011 cusecs. About 60 per cent of water released from Pong Dam goes to Rajasthan.

According to sources in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), the period from May 20 to September 15 is considered to be the filling period of both Bhakra and Pong dams.

In these days, the inflow of water increases as compared to outflows, leading to an increase in water levels.

Bhakra Dam receives more water due to snow melting in catchment areas of the Sutlej river.

Pong Dam is receives water of the Beas and its tributaries. The filling period of the dam is linked to monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh. The BBMB authorities said through the water level in both dams was lower than the levels recorded last year, much would depend on rains in the monsoon.

Punjab