The water level in the dams of Himachal is increasing amid the devastation caused by the flash floods in North India

The water level in the dams of Himachal is increasing amid the devastation caused by the flash floods in North India.

Chandigarh/Dehradun: Heavy inflow of water from rivers, nullahs and barrages has resulted in floods in the North-Western region of the country, the Central Water Commission (CWC) revealed on July 13 that Bhakra, Pong and Pong in Himachal Pradesh. The water level has increased in the Kol dams. That’s almost double the normal for this time of year. The combined storage of these three dams is 97 per cent more than the average of last 10 years.

The water level in Thein Dam in Punjab is also 64 per cent above the decade’s average. At least 108 people have died, an equal number of people have been injured and at least a dozen are missing due to rain-related incidents and road accidents since the onset of monsoon on June 24 till July 13.

Bodies of people killed in floods are being recovered in Kullu and Mandi districts. According to the data released by the Himachal Emergency Operation Center this evening, the state has witnessed 53 landslides and 22 floods so far. Heavy rain is expected at isolated places in the state till July 18 and the Met Office has issued a yellow alert.

CWC data says that Bhakra, Pong and Kol dams have a total combined capacity of 12.475 billion cubic meters (BCM) and the storage at present is 7.606 BCM. Last year at this time it was 2.265 BCM and the average storage has been 3.855 BCM.

While the water level in Bhakra was 497.18 meters as against 512.06 meters yesterday. Thus this year the reservoir of the dam has been filled up to 56 per cent of its total capacity, while it was 21 per cent at the same time last year. The average of the last 10 years is 37 per cent.

The picture is no different at Pong dam as the water level in the dam was 416.22 meters yesterday, while the total level was 423.67 metres, thus filling 67 per cent of the dam, as against 15 per cent at the same time last year.

The inflow of water into these dams has been exceptionally high since last week due to heavy rains in the catchment areas of these dams, sources said. The authorities have decided not to release excess water from these dams as there is already heavy water flow in the downstream rivers and streams and many areas have been inundated.

Sources said the Bhakra Beas Management Board is monitoring the situation and the decision to release additional water from these dams will be taken in consultation with participating states based on the flow level and water demand. Himachal Police is now focusing on difficult areas and low mobile connectivity to trace the stranded people. Acting DGP Satwant Atwal said, “The rescue operation is on.”

Water flow in dams due to rain in catchment areas

CWC data says that the total combined capacity of Bhakra, Pong and Kol dams is 12.475 billion cubic meters (BCM). The present storage is 7.606 BCM. Last year at this time it was 2.265 BCM and the average storage was 3.855 BCM.

status of dams

The water level in Bhakra was 497.18 meters as against 512.06 meters on Thursday.
How full: The dam’s reservoir is filled up to 56 per cent of its total capacity
How it was last year: 21 percent at this time. The average of the last 10 years is 37 percent
The picture at Pong dam is no different as the water level of the dam was 416.22 meters on Thursday, while the total water level was 423.67 metres.