Chandigarh: The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) on Wednesday announced the release of 20,000 cusecs of water from the Pong dam in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district as a precautionary measure after the water level rose to 1,372 feet.
The move comes amid a sharp rise in water levels of local rivers, including Dehar Khad, Buhal Khad, and Dehri Khad.
While the maximum storage capacity of the Pong dam is 1,410 feet, the danger mark is considered to be 1,390 feet. BBMB typically begins releasing water when the level exceeds 1,365 feet.
Following the decision, the district administrations of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and Hoshiarpur in Punjab have been put on high alert.
Hoshiarpur District Magistrate Ashika Jain said, “We are constantly monitoring the water level of all dams, including Pong dam. We have received information from BBMB that they are going to open the flood gates of Pong dam and release water. I want to warn everyone that there is no need to panic. These are common measures taken during the monsoon season.”
