Rising Water Discharges Escalates Severe Flood Risks Along Beas And Parbati River Valleys

Kullu : District authorities across the Kullu and Mandi valleys have issued emergency flood warnings along the Beas and Parbati river basins following heavy upstream rainfall and continuous controlled water discharges from major hydroelectric reservoirs.  

Incessant monsoon precipitation across the higher Himalayan catchments has caused water levels in the Beas and its primary tributary, the Parbati River, to surge dangerously close to red mark thresholds. Dam authorities managing the Larji and Pandoh hydro projects confirmed that controlled spillway gates were opened to regulate reservoir capacity. The controlled release of hundreds of cusecs of water has dramatically increased downstream flow velocity, exacerbating bank erosion and posing an imminent risk to riverside infrastructure.  

The administration has deployed public address systems and siren networks along vulnerable stretches, including Kasol, Manikaran, Bhuntar, and Pandoh, advising residents and visiting tourists to maintain a safe distance from riverbeds and low-lying banks. Encroached riverine spaces, riverside camping sites, and temporary structures located along floodplains have been ordered to evacuate as a precautionary safety measure.  

Emergency response teams, including National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and local police contingents, are stationed at strategic control points along the river corridors to monitor water elevation shifts and facilitate rapid evacuations if required. Commuters and motorists navigating the Kiratpur-Manali national highway stretch running parallel to the Beas have also been cautioned regarding potential road subsidence and splashing debris.State disaster authorities reiterated that strict monitoring will remain in effect until reservoir inflows stabilize and weather conditions normalize across the upper catchments.