Bhakra water level improves slightly, Pong remains a concern

Chandigarh, July 28 (IANS) With rainfall in catchment areas not being adequate this year, the water level in reservoirs of the Bhakra Dam and the Pong Dam continues to be lower than in the same period last year, officials of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) said Monday.

"Today's water level at Bhakra reservoir is 1,641.44 feet against last year's level of 1,646.70 feet. The water level at Pong reservoir is 1,328.38 feet against last year's level of 1,361.20 feet," a BBMB spokesman said after a meeting of the BBMB technical committee which included partner states Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.

"Today's inflow in Gobind Sagar (reservoir at Bhakra Dam) is 62,435 cusecs against last year's 47,360 cusecs and outflow is 25,900 cusecs as against last year's 36,458 cusecs," he said.

"Today's inflow in Pong reservoir was 39,503 cusecs against last year's 25,829 cusecs and outflow 15,512 cusecs against last year's 14,006 cusecs. The partner states were of the view that the cause of concern (of water level) in Pong reservoir still persists," he said.

Officers of the partner states deliberated on the plan for operation of dams during the remaining filling period.

The 225-metre high Bhakra Dam is located 110 km from here in adjoining Himachal Pradesh.