Improved reservoir levels at end of filling season gives hope to BBMB
September 22, 2012
By Vinod Gupta
NANAGAL: The water level in three reservoirs of Punjab has improved considerably at the end of filling season and BBMB hopes to improve generation in coming months.
The apprehensions of inadequate water level in the reservoirs due to weak monsoon at the start of rainy season has been offset by late revival and withdrawal of monsoon as water level is still rising at the end of filling season. The filling season of reservoir normally ends on September 20 every year.
At the end of filling season the water level in Bhakra is 1655.5 feet which is 25 feet less than the end of filling season last year. At the start of rainy season the water level was 60 feet less than the level on corresponding day last year. Earlier report of scanty monsoon forced the BBMB authorities to reduce water supply for irrigation by 10 % and corresponding reduction in power generation.
The power generation from BBMB power houses in August was 1221 million units which was 20% less than the generation in August last year. Last year generation in August was 1512 million units. However there was no generation loss from Dehar power plant this year which stood at 461 million units in August. This year Bhakra power houses the monthly generation in August was less by 20% as compared to last year.
At Pong dam reservoir the water level is 1390 feet which is only six feet less from the level at end of filling season last year. At the start of this year’s filling season water level was short by 60 feet to the water level on corresponding day. The power generation at Pong power Plant was less by 33% in August as compared to last year. This year power generation in August was 160 million units whereas it 236 million units last year.
Ashok Thapar Member Power BBMB said that water level at Bhakra may be less by 25 feet this year but water is less by 15 % in volume as compared to last year. The late withdrawal of monsoon has also BBMB reservoir to recoup much needed water. The increased inflow will further increase the water level in coming days. BBMB hopes to maintain the last year’s generation level for coming months.
At Ranjit Sagar Dam project the present water level is 519.60 meters against last year level of 524.89 meters. The present inflow at reservoir is 18842 cusecs against last year inflow of 14273 cusecs.