Power generation hits as Sharda water level goes down

Our Correspondent

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Pithoragarh April 29

Electricity generation in two powerhouses of Lohiahead at Khatima and NHPC powerhouse at Banbasa have gone down as the water level of Sharda river has decreased due to prolonged cold conditions in the hill region, causing non-melting of snow at its basins. “The water level of the river, which was at 5,270 cusec, on April 28, 2014, has gone down to a mere 3,997 cusec on the same date this year,” said AK Singh, manager at Lohiahead powerhouse.

According to sources , while the 40 MW Lohiahead powerhouse is generating only 8 MW of electricity these days, the electricity generation in the 100 MW NHPC-owned powerhouse at Banbasa has gone down to 32 MW these days.

“Not only is the electricity generation affected, the less flow of waters in the river has also affected by nearly 20 per cent irrigation in UP districts where it feeds over 22 lakh hectares of cultivable land,” sSaid the source.