Cheers for partner states as Bhakra reservior level goes up

21-Sep-2009
News Source: Vinod Kumar Gupta

Chandigarh: Heavy rain in the catchment’s areas of Bhakra Dam in the first ten days of September has brought some cheers for the partner states as water level in Bhakra reservoir has touched 1636.48 feet at the end of filling season.

The water level in Bhakra reservoir increased by 20 feet in September while it has increased by 16 feet in Pong reservoir. Today water level in Bhakra reservoir is 1636.48 feet against last year’s level of 1679.39 feet at the end of filling season. The water level in Bhakra reservoir was 1616.54 feet on September 1 this year against last year’s level of 1674.15 feet on corresponding day. The inflow in Bhakra reservoir is 629.26 cubic meters per second while water release by BBMB is 528.87 cubic meters per second.

The main beneficiary by increased water level in Bhakra reservoir will be Ralashthan who would be getting sufficient water for its winter crops. The generation at Kotla and Nakien powerhouses of PSEB would also increase depending upon the quantity of water releases for irrigation purposes through Nangal Hydel channel.

BBMB authorities had estimated that this year water level would be 1625 feet at the end of filling season due to weak monsoon in the region. However heavy rainfall at the fag end of season water level has touched 1636.48 feet.

Now after with drawl of monsoon in the region rainfall in this region is deficient by 27 percent. Earlier it was estimated that rainfall might be deficient up to 42 percent.

At Pong reservoir water level has increased from 1323.62 feet on September 1 to 1339 feet at the end of filling season. Last year there was practically no increase in water level during corresponding period and water level remained around 1386 feet.

The water releases from Pong reservoir for irrigation purposes would help generate more power at PSEB’s Mukerian Power houses.

Meanwhile power shortage in Punjab continues to be around 413 lakh units daily and power supply in the state is 1331 lakh units daily. The thermal generation in state is 556 lakh units. Even on Sunday the state was over drawing power from the northern grid. As per NRLDC website state was drawing 642 lakh units against allocation of 587 lakh units.