Water released from Pong dam after 15 yrs

CHANDIGARH: After Bhakra dam brimming to its capacity, rising water levels in Pong Dam have now become a cause for concern.
The dam has crossed 1375 feet mark against its capacity of 1390 feet compelling authorities to release water, after over a decade. The dam saw its inflow increase by 10 times compared to last year even as uninterrupted heavy inflows compelled Bhakra Beas Management Board to release over 60,000 cusecs of water in Sutlej on Monday.All three dams in Punjab — Bhakra, Pong and Ranjeet Sagar— are now running full to their capacity, a scenario unfolding after more than 15 years. "We had stopped releasing water from Pong dam several years ago because it hardly gets water. But now, on Monday, we released about 3500 cusecs of water from there, said a senior official of BBMB.
The inflow of water in Pong on Monday was 70,182 cusecs, which is nearly 10 times last year's figure of mere 6173 cusecs on this day. Even Ranjeet Sagar dam, managed by Punjab irrigation department, is running full. Against its capacity of 527 metres, on Monday, its level was 521 metres.