Water level in Bhakra, Pong dams down

With rains "eluding" their catchment areas, water level in Bhakra and Pong reservoirs was today recorded more than 40 feet lower than the figure last year even as water requirement of three partnering states Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are being fully met.
Bhakra dam today recorded water level of 1,581.29 feet, 42.69 feet lesser than what it was on the same day last year, an official of Bhakra Beas Management Board said today.
Similarly, water level in Pong dam, set up on Beas river, was 1,298.80 feet, lower by 41.50 feet as compared to water level of 1,340.30 feet in corresponding period of last year, he said.

"But we are fulfilling the water requirement of partnering states," the official said.
"There is no rain in catchment areas of Bhakra yet while catchment areas of Pong dam have started receiving rainfall and there is forecast for more rains in coming days," the official said.
The inflow of water into Bhakra and Pong was also lower this year.

Bhakra's water inflow was today recorded at 37,619 cusecs as against 57,000 cusecs observed last year.
In case of Pong, the water inflow was 19,759 cusecs in comparison to 24,000 cusecs last year, the official said.
Notably, Punjab was asked to remain alert in July last year in the wake of heavy inflow of water into the two reservoirs.

Bhakra and Pong dams are to be filled up to a level of 1,680 feet and 1,390 feet respectively by September.