Heavy rains boost water level in Punjab dams; 2 dams cross the last year mark, 2 approaching steadily
Kanwar Inder singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ July 2,2025
The monsoon that hit Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh earlier this season has brought cheers on the faces of Bhakhra, Dehar, Pong Ranjit Sagar Dam management. The water levels in Punjab’s dam are increasing on daily basis. The level remains above or is near to last year, this day. The inflow of water is also recorded high as compare to last year, on this day.
As per the figures, last year on July 1, the water level at Bhakra dam reservoirs was at 1587.90 feet with inflow of water as 50169 cusecs. But this year, on July 1,2025 the water level is at 1578.04 feet , with inflow of 47553 cusecs. The discharge from the Bhakhra dam was 30999 cusecs on July 1,2024 where as it was 23000 cusecs. Bhakhra dam can hold water upto 1680 feet.
As per sources, by the end of July, the water level in Bhakra dam reservoirs may touch1,650 plus ft mark, generally and it is expected to touch this level, this year too as sufficient rainfall in the catchment area this year.
Likewise the water level at Ranjit Sagar dam reservoirs was at 501.81m , on July 1,2024. But this year the water level is at 505.09m. Even water inflow in Ranjit Sagar dam on July 1,2024 was 11134 cusecs , but this year, on same day, its 7447 cusecs. The discharge from Ranjit Sagar dam was 12933 cusecs on July 1,2024 whereas it was 8994 cusecs this year. Ranjit Sagar dam maximum height is 527.91 feet but permissible limit is at 524.91 feet.
The other dam which is also above as compare to last year, same day is Pong dam. Last year Pong a dam reservoir was at 1306.25 feet, whereas, on July 1 this year its level is at 1318.40 ft level. The inflow of water in Pong dam was 11120 cusecs on July,1, 2024, where as its 212243 cusecs on July,1,2025.
The discharge from Pong dam was 10838 cusecs last year where as it was 6458 cusecs , this year on same date. The maximum height of Pong dam is 1390 feet and minimum height is 1260 feet.
Similarly, Dehar dam which is also near the last year, same day. Last year Dehar dam reservoirs was at 2924.21 feet, whereas, on July 1,2025 its level was at 2915.82 ft level. The inflow of water in Dehar dam was 16708 cusecs on July,1, 2024, where as its 59311 cusecs on july,1,2025. The discharge from Dehar dam was 8450 cusecs on July 1,2025 where as no water is discharged on July 1,2025.
An official on the condition of anonymity said “we are keeping our fingers crossed. On the first day of July the situation is different what it was few days ago. Due to incessant rain in catchment areas, Himachal , Punjab the dams are filling very fast. The inflow of water is alarming in Dehar and Pong dam areas where as it’s near to last year figure in Bhakra dam. If the situation remain the same than in coming days, the authorities may take action to save the dams.”
Heavy rains boost water level in Punjab dams . With heavy rain in these few days in the catchment areas, in fields, low outflow of water and high level at reservoirs has an impact on electricity generation also.
Total transmission from Bhakhra dam on July 1, 2025 was 191.15 lac units, from Ranjit Sagar dam it was 53.43 lac units, from Pong dam it was 24.05 lac units .
Punjab gets 100 percent electricity share from Ranjit Sagar dam and Pong dam. Whereas electricity generated from Bhakra dam is distributed amongst partner states’ said a PSPCL officer.
Ranjit Sagar dam is on river Ravi and houses four generating units of 150 MW each with total capacity of 600 MW. Pong Dam installed capacity of power house is 396 MW (6×66 MW).
Bhakhra dam have a total capacity of 1325 MW. It has two power houses. The left power house contain 3 x 108 MW and 2 x 126 MW Francis turbines while the right has 5 x 157 MW. The power generated at Bhakra Dam is distributed among partner states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh and Delhi.
