42% departure from normal storage in 3 water reservoirs
The 42 per cent departure from normal storage in the three major reservoirs of Gobindsagar, Pong and Kol Dam in Himachal presently, could result in a possible shortfall in hydel power generation and irrigation projects.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) bulletin regarding water storage situation in 155 reservoirs across the country on February 6, 2025 has indicated a 42 per cent departure from normal. Himachal is one of the four states apart from Punjab, Odisha and Goa having lesser storage in percentage than last year for the corresponding period.
There is 42 per cent departure in Himachal in storage in the three main reservoirs. As compared to 28 storage as percentage of live capacity last year, the departure reflected in the latest CEC bulletin for the corresponding period indicates 46 storage as percentage of live capacity. The normal storage as percentage of live capacity for the three dams is 48. This shows that the shortfall in the water storage in the three main reservoirs is higher this timer as compared to last year.
Pong Dam, located on the Beas, is one of the six reservoirs having storage less than 50 per cent of the normal storage in the country. Apart from Pong, the other reservoirs include Chandan Dam, Rangawan, Thein Dam, Tattihalla and Badua Dam. The CWC monitors the live storage status of reservoirs, including power projects across the country.
Out of various river basins across the country, the Indus is the worst effected basin having deficient storage. The generation in most of the hydel project in Himachal, though low in the winters due to slower glacial melting, is dependent on good snowfall and glacial accumulation in the winter months from October to March.
With very little snowfall this winter, there is concern about an adverse impact on hydel-power generation in the state, this summer.
