Himachal Alert: Pong Dam Crosses Danger Mark, 20,000 People From 60 Villages Ordered To Evacuate

Last Updated:August 28, 2025, 13:06 IST

SDM Indora Surendra Thakur said 1.10 lakh cusecs of water will be released from Pong Dam on August 28 and urged residents of lower Badukhar to evacuate by Thursday noon

SDM Indora warned that if the Dhussi canal at Bela Thakran breaks due to the strong water flow, the lower area could suffer significant damage. (Representative/News18 Hindi)

Relentless rain in Himachal Pradesh has triggered alarm, with heavy downpours in Mandi, Kullu and Manali swelling the Beas river. Authorities have issued an advisory for three subdivisions of Kangra district as the Pong Dam crossed 1,396 feet. The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) is set to release 1.10 lakh cusecs of water into the river at 2 pm on Thursday.

High alerts have been issued for all villages in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, with civil administrations on standby for potential disasters. Around 20,000 people are expected to be affected and have been instructed to evacuate to safe locations.

According to officials, the release of water from Pong Dam may submerge many areas in Indora, Fatehpur, and Dehra of Kangra. The Indora subdivision administration has alerted the heads of 17 gram panchayats in the Beas-affected area, along with panchayat representatives, secretaries, technical assistants, village employment servants, patwaris, kanungos, and other relevant departmental officers and employees.

The administration said the water level at Pong Dam was recorded at 1,393.68 feet at 7 am on August 27, 2025, crossing the danger mark. Similar to the floods of 2023, areas such as Bella Thakurdwara, Paral, and Malkwal along the Beas banks are at risk. Residents from sixty villages across seventeen panchayats have been ordered to relocate.

SDM Indora Surendra Thakur, announced that 1,10,000 cusecs of water will be released from Pong Dam into the Beas river on August 28. He has urged residents of lower Badukhar to evacuate by noon on Thursday to avoid danger. He warned that if the Dhussi canal at Bela Thakran breaks due to the strong water flow, the lower area could suffer significant damage.

Flood-Like Situation In Mand

Due to the continuous release of water from the dam, Arni University in Indora, Kangra, was flooded on Tuesday night. A total of 254 boys and 164 girls were safely evacuated by an NDRF team.

Meanwhile, Up-Pradhan of Sanaur Panchayat, Jaswinder Chandel, informed Administrative Officer Surendra Thakur about several people trapped in floodwaters in Mand Sanor and Mand Ghandra in Indora. Acting swiftly, a team led by Naib Tehsildar of Thakurdwara Sub-Tehsil, Jaichand Thakur, was dispatched to the spot. Fifteen people, including three children, four women, and several elderly men, were rescued.

Additionally, some people were trapped in flood waters in Mand Sanor and Mand Ghandra. Immediate action by Deputy Pradhan Jaswinder Chandel and Naib Tehsildar Jaichand Thakur led to the rescue of fifteen individuals, including children, women, elderly, and men.

Three Relief Camps Set Up In Indora Subdivision

DC Kangra Hemraj Bairwa, in a meeting with officials on Wednesday, said around 65 connecting roads and 92 drinking water schemes have been affected in Kangra. Due to heavy rains in the Indora subdivision, nearly 820 people have been shifted to safer locations, and three relief camps have been set up in the area. He added that the Food Supply Department has been directed to prepare a plan to ensure ration supply in Bara Bhangal.

Location :

Himachal Pradesh, India, India

First Published:

August 28, 2025, 13:06 IST

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