Even as the monsoon showers are likely to continue till September-end, the water level at Pong Dam reservoir also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar has already breached the upper limit before the end of the filling season.
The water level at Pong Dam on Wednesday stood at 1,390.16 feet, 0.16 feet above the upper limit and 25.95 feet more than last year.
The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) authorities said good monsoon this year has filled the Pong Dam to the brim.
Pong Dam could hold water up to 1,395 feet against the danger mark of 1,390 feet. With the reservoir filled up to the capacity, BBMB will be able to supply enough water for irrigation during the lean season.
The average inflow at Pong Dam is around 16,000 cusecs against the outflow of 10,000 cusecs.
An official at the water regulations department of Pong Dam said since there is no forecast of heavy rainfall in the coming weeks, the floodgates of the reservoir will remain closed. He said as the water has decreased at the reservoir and in case the water level reaches the maximum capacity of 1,395 feet before the filling season ends, there could be control release of water.
It is after two years that the water level in Pong Dam reservoirs has crossed the upper limit. Last year, it was recorded at 1,374.21 feet on the same day. In 2011, the water level at Pong Dam had breached the upper limit on September 19.
{{/usCountry}}It is after two years that the water level in Pong Dam reservoirs has crossed the upper limit. Last year, it was recorded at 1,374.21 feet on the same day. In 2011, the water level at Pong Dam had breached the upper limit on September 19.
{{/usCountry}}The monsoon - generally referred to as the dam-filling season - normally ends in the last week of September every year.
“The filling season is to end on September 20 this year,” said the official. The official data shows that in the past five years, 2009 was the leanest year when water in Pong Dam was at the lowest ebb. The maximum water level recorded that year was 1,338 feet on October 2.
Last year, the maximum water level at Pong Dam was recorded at 1,386.56 feet on September 28. Pong Dam had witnessed an unprecedented rise in the water level this year due to heavy pre-monsoon showers. The water level was recorded at 1,319 feet on June 17 - two days after the monsoon hit the state. Last year, it was 1,289 feet on July 4 - the day monsoon hit the state.