Bhakra reservoir and Pong reservoir levels higher than average
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Chandigarh: Today, dated 16-08-2023 the level of Bhakra and Pong reservoir are 1677.70 feet and 1398.68 feet respectively as compare to average level of 1644.41 feet and 1358.94 feet respectively. The level of Bhakra reservoir is 33 feet higher and Pong reservoir is 40 feet higher than the average levels. Average Outflow from Bhakra and Pong Dam is 83703 cusec (spillway 43794 cusec + through turbine 39909 cusec) and 141960 cusec (spillway 125159 cusec + through turbine 16801 cusec) respectively as on 16 August, 2023.
Due to unprecedented rains in the catchment areas of Bhakra and Pong, very heavy inflows were received during 12th, 13th and 14th August 2023 in the BBMB Reservoirs. Levels of Bhakra and Pond Dam on 12th August at 06 AM were 1669.49 ft and 1377.12 ft respectively. The peak inflow of 730079 cusec (historically highest since inception year 1974) was received in Pong Reservoir at 14.00 hours on 14.08.2023 and in Bhakra Reservoir peak inflow received was 193324 cusec at 06.00 hours on 14.08.2023. These heavy inflows raised the reservoir levels of Bhakra and Pong Dam to 1678.05 ft and 1399.42 ft respectively on 15 August at 06 AM even with the controlled releases being made.
Above scenario necessitated the increase in outflow from the BBMB dams. Thus, BBMB in coordination with Punjab Authorities increased the releases from Bhakra & Pong Reservoirs in a controlled manner keeping in view the safety of Dams. Further, as per the weather forecast available with BBMB, there is not much rainfall activity in catchments areas as well as in the downstream of dams in Punjab in the next 4-5 days. So, BBMB has planned to release the water from Bhakra & Pong in a controlled manner so as to attain the safe storage level as soon as possible considering the position of downstream areas and inflows being received. BBMB is making every effort to use the storage available in the reservoirs optimally so as to safeguard the downstream areas from flooding as far as possible.
