Considering heavy rainfall impacting catchment areas and resulting in substantial inflows, both the Bhakra and Pong dams have been witnessing a significant surge in their water reservoir levels. Bhakra’s current water level stands at 1677 feet — a mere three feet below the danger mark, prompting the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to take immediate action, and initiate controlled release of excess water from both dams.

Despite the reduction in inflows, the floodgates of these dams are expected to remain open for the next four to five days. BBMB on Wednesday opened all the four floodgates of the Bhakra Dam by eight feet each, with the authorities set to sustain the move over the next four-five days in an effort to manage the heightened water flow.

As of now, the water levels of Bhakra and Pong reservoirs are at 1677.70 feet and 1398.68 feet, respectively — in contrast to their respective average levels of 1644.41 feet and 1358.94 feet. Notably, the Bhakra reservoir's water level is currently 33 feet higher, while the Pong reservoir's level is elevated by 40 feet compared to their respective averages.

The increased outflows, resulting from the dams’ operations, had consequential effects in downstream areas of Punjab with multiple areas experiencing inundation, prompting local authorities to remain vigilant and undertake precautionary measures.

The situation underscores the complexities of managing water resources during periods of heightened rainfall and the need for coordinated response strategies to mitigate potential risks.

Notably, the Bhakra and Pong dams, located in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, have been witnessing an unprecedented surge in water levels following heavy rains in their catchment areas. The heavy rainfall, that has swept through the region during the months of July and August, has led to a significant increase in the inflows into the reservoirs of these major dams. To manage the situation, the BBMB has been discharging controlled amounts of water from the dams over the past month, releasing approximately six-sven billion cubic meters of additional water. This proactive measure has helped maintain the water levels at manageable levels.

However, in view of the “extraordinary” inflows in the recent past, the Pong Dam on Monday (August 14) received an inflow of a record-breaking 7.3 lakh cusecs — the highest ever since its inception in 1974. This surge pushed the water level beyond the maximum permissible limit, prompting the BBMB to take immediate action. The inflow at Bhakra Dam on the same day was 1.93 lakh cusecs, signaling the urgency of the situation.

As of August 16, the water level at Pong Dam was brought down from its peak but remained significantly higher than the permissible limit. At Bhakra Dam, while the water level was still below the upper limit, the decision was made to continue controlled discharges to ensure that the reservoir can absorb any further potential inflows due to unpredictable weather events.

The excess water release, however, has resulted in inundation of several areas downstream, particularly in districts like Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, and Gurdaspur in Punjab. Acknowledging the concerns, BBMB officials emphasized the need to strike a balance between releasing excess water and ensuring the safety of the dams.

BBMB secretary Satish Singla, providing insights into the ongoing efforts, explained that the controlled release of water would persist for the next four to five days aimed at lowering the water levels to a safer point. Singla highlighted the forecast of dry weather in the upcoming days, which should aid in the mitigation process.

Singla emphasized that BBMB’s strategy involves gradually reducing water levels to a safe threshold, ensuring that the reservoirs have ample capacity to handle any unexpected weather events in the near future.

Singla noted that decisions regarding water releases are made collaboratively with the Punjab Government to ensure a coordinated response. As they work to address the immediate challenges posed by rising water levels, both the BBMB and local authorities are focused on safeguarding downstream areas while upholding the structural integrity of the dams.