Munish Sood
MANDI: Heavy rainfall and a cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district on June 25 have led to a surge in Beas river’s water level, resulting in increased inflow into the Pandoh Dam reservoir. While the situation remains under control, high levels of silt and sediment have forced the temporary shutdown of the Dehar power house.
The dam recorded a water level of 2,925 feet on Wednesday, with an inflow of 33,000 cusecs. Approximately 29,000 cusecs were released through the spillway gates as part of standard flood management protocol.
By Thursday morning, the water level had decreased to 2,913 feet, which is well below the designated danger mark of 2,941 feet. At present, both the inflow and outflow are steady at 20,000 cusecs, with all five gates of the dam fully open to maintain regulated discharge.
Power generation halted due to heavy silt inflow
The sudden increase in sediment and silt has impacted the flow of water through the Baggi Tunnel, which supplies water to the Dehar power house. As a precautionary measure, the supply was halted at 7 pm on Wednesday, leading to a temporary suspension of power generation. Officials have confirmed that operations will resume only once silt levels return to acceptable limits.
This disruption has temporarily impacted one of the region’s major hydroelectric generation systems, which plays a vital role in the inter-state power grid. Efforts are underway to monitor silt levels continuously and resume operations at the earliest.
Alert issued for public safety
In anticipation of further rain, dam authorities and the local administration have implemented robust safety measures:
• Warning vehicles are patrolling the area from Pandoh to Mandi, issuing alerts to residents and tourists to avoid approaching the riverbanks.
• People have been urged to stay away from the Beas River, as sudden rises in water level are common during the monsoon season.
• The public has been asked to strictly follow all safety advisories and avoid unnecessary movement near water bodies.
The dam management has also prepared for rapid response in case of emergency, with round-the-clock monitoring teams deployed across key points.
Built as part of a major hydropower and irrigation network, Pandoh Dam plays a crucial role in diverting water to the Dehar Power Station. Last year, the dam witnessed inflows exceeding 2 lakh cusecs, which led to significant infrastructure strain and widespread impact downstream.
Officials maintain that the current water level is well within safe limits and there is no immediate threat. However, with the monsoon intensifying, caution remains critical.
Residents, tourists, and transport operators are reminded that vigilance and compliance with official advisories are essential to prevent casualties during periods of high rainfall and fluctuating river conditions.
