Delayed monsoon effect- Water level in Bhakra, Ranjit Sagar,Pong dams depleting
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
With the delayed monsoon, the water level in Punjab’s dam remain low, as compare to last year, this day. The inflow of water is also recorded lesser as compare to last year, on this day.
As per the figures, last year till July 11, the water level at Bhakra dam reservoirs was at 1593.23 feet with inflow of water as 50436 cusecs. But this year, same day, July 11, the water level is at 1538.30 feet , with inflow of 39199 cusecs. This means, the water level in Bhakhra dam is 54.93 feet less than last year, same day. Bhakhra dam can hold water upto 1680 feet and the minimum Reservoir level is 1462 feet.
As per sources, by the end of July, the water level in Bhakra dam reservoirs touches 1,630 to 1,640 ft mark, generally, but this year it is lagging behind, due to insufficient rainfall in the catchment area this year.
Likewise , last year the water level at Ranjit Sagar dam reservoirs was at 511.61 feet , on July 11,2020. But this year the water level is at 497.04 feet. Even water inflow is receded in Ranjit Sagar dam too. Ranjit Sagar dam is 14.57 less than last year level. On July 11,2020 the water inflow was 13473 , but this year, on same day, its 9134 cusecs. Ranjit Sagar dam maximum Reservoir level is 527.91 M but permissible limit / Reservoir level is at 487.00 M.
Similarly, last year, this day Pong dam reservoirs was at 1335.05 feet, whereas, today –July 11,2021 its level is at 1278.12 feet level. The inflow of water in Pong dam was 17735 cusecs on July,11,2020, where as its 11444 on July,11,2021. Pong dam is 56.93 feet less than last year, this day. The maximum height of Pong dam is 1390 feet and minimum height is 1260 feet.
Delayed monsoon effect- Water level in Bhakra, Ranjit Sagar,Pong dams depleting. “The low level at reservoirs also have an impact on electricity generation also. With low outflow of water the lesser electricity will be generated. Punjab gets 100 percent electricity share from Ranjit Sagar dam and Pong dam. Where as 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 is on river Beas with 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.
July 11,2021
